PM Modi yesterday hailed the growing partnership between India and Australia, saying bilateral ties have reached an “all-time high” as well as the Indian diaspora’s role as a bridge between the two nations.
PM Modi welcomed Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to the packed audience at Marvel Stadium in Melbourne, expressing gratitude for the warm welcome in front of a packed gathering of the Indian community.
"This show is houseful. It is a blockbuster," Modi said, to thunderous applause from thousands of members of the Indian diaspora.
Recalling his previous visits to Australia, the Prime Minister said he has now visited the country three times since he took office in 2014, an indication of the rapidly growing strategic partnership between New Delhi and Canberra.
Indian Diaspora Strengthening Bilateral Ties
PM Modi praised the contribution of the Indian community to Australia's growth and said many parts of Melbourne are now popularly known as “Mini India” because of the vibrant Indian presence.
The Indian diaspora has played a key role in bringing the two democracies closer and strengthening people-to-people ties, he said.
Vision of a Developed India by 2047
In his speech, the Prime Minister reiterated his government's plan to make India a developed nation (Viksit Bharat) by 2047.
He highlighted India’s fast economic growth and expressed confidence that the country would soon become the world’s third-largest economy.
Modi has also listed some technological and infrastructure achievements, including:
India’s successful landing near the Moon’s south pole. Plans to establish an indigenous space station. India is now the world’s second largest 5G market. Made-in-India 6G technology has been developed. Bigger metro rail network in India, currently the third largest in the world. Launch of Vande Bharat and Namo Bharat train services. DigiLocker to secure digital storage and verification of official documents. Operation Sindoor and Defence Self-Reliance
The Prime Minister also referred to Operation Sindoor, saying the Indian Armed Forces had destroyed terror launch pads across the border and demonstrated India's determination to combat terrorism.
He also reaffirmed the government's intention to develop India's defence capability to be self-reliant in defence manufacturing and that the country is working to build stronger indigenous military capacities.
"When one goal is achieved, an even greater resolve takes its place. This is an India that believes in 'Grow More, Achieve More,'" Modi said.
India's Global Role
In highlighting the humanitarian mission of India, Modi said that India had always been a first responder to natural disasters and had been involved in disaster response throughout the world.
He recalled India’s assistance to Venezuela following a devastating earthquake and its supply of vaccines and medical aid to more than 100 countries during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Prime Minister also expressed confidence that sporting ties between India and Australia will deepen further and pointed out that India's plans to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games and its bid to stage the 2036 Olympic Games.
Albanese Calls Modi a 'Living Bridge'
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese also spoke at the event and praised the India-Australia partnership, describing Modi as a 'living bridge' connecting the people of the two countries.
"The energy that we feel here defines the Australia-India partnership. It is the enthusiasm and dynamism that drives the positivity and promise of our two nations and peoples," Albanese said.
Recalling his visits to India, the Australian Prime Minister said he had been very impressed by India's diversity, culture, and the warmth of its people, reaffirming Australia's commitment to strengthening ties with India in trade, education, technology, defence, and people-to-people exchanges.
