Indian community in Sydney on Monday welcomed the arrival of Prime Minister Narendra Modi amid rousing slogans of ‘Jai Modi’, ‘Vanakkam Modi’, ‘Namaste Modi’ and ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’. The Prime Minister is set to hold constructive discussions with Australian leaders, members of the business community and the diaspora during his two-day visit.
Anticipation for Modi’s arrival had been building since his last visit to the country in 2014, and community members expressed their high hopes for his tenure. As Modi shook hands and greeted the eagerly waiting crowd, a member of the Indian community said, “Modi ji, we have high hopes for you.”
On his arrival in Sydney, Modi took to Twitter to express his gratitude and said, “Warmly received by the Indian community in Sydney. Looking forward to various events over the next two days.”
As a guest of the Australian government, Modi’s visit to Australia spans from May 22 to May 24. He was received at the airport by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who, prior to Modi’s arrival, released a statement expressing his honor in hosting the Indian Prime Minister. Albanese noted the warm welcome he received during his visit to India earlier this year and emphasized the commitment shared between Australia and India for a stable, secure, and prosperous Indo-Pacific region. The statement acknowledged the importance of their joint efforts in light of China’s assertive actions and expanding influence in the region.
During his visit, Modi will engage in talks with his Australian counterpart, Prime Minister Albanese, and deliver an address to Australia’s Indian diaspora, a vibrant and diverse community of over 800,000 individuals. This visit marks the final leg of Modi’s three-nation tour.
Modi’s historic visit in 2014 made him the first Indian prime minister since Rajiv Gandhi to visit Australia. At the Sydney Superdome in Olympic Park, he addressed a crowd of 20,000 people and expressed confidence that more Indian leaders would visit Down Under in the coming years.
