Indian Diaspora Has Strengthened India-Australia Ties, Says PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said his third visit to Australia in the last 12 years demonstrates the significant progress in India-Australia relations, attributing the strengthening of bilateral ties to the Indian diaspora.

Addressing the ‘Melbourne Meets Modi’ community reception, the Prime Minister recalled that his 2014 visit was the first by an Indian Prime Minister to Australia in 28 years. He noted that he had then assured the community they would not have to wait another 28 years for a visit and said his third visit in 12 years reflected the new heights achieved in the relationship.

When asked who had played the biggest role in strengthening ties, members of the audience responded by chanting ‘Modi, Modi’.

The Prime Minister said the credit belonged to the Indian diaspora, acknowledging their contribution to fostering closer relations between the two countries.

Describing the event as ‘blockbuster and houseful’, PM Modi said he was pleased to finally meet the Indian community in Melbourne after interacting with them twice in Sydney. He also remarked that he had looked forward to sharing a ‘flat white coffee’ with the people of Melbourne.

PM Modi thanked Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese for attending the event and recalled his participation in the Sydney community programme in 2023. He said Albanese had won the hearts and minds of Indians through his speeches and highlighted their shared appearances at Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium and Melbourne’s iconic cricket venue.

The Prime Minister also said Melbourne had become even more vibrant because of the Indian community, noting that several places and markets across the city reflect India’s cultural diversity.

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