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Prime Minister Narendra Modi received a warm welcome from the members of the Indian community as he arrived in Australia on Wednesday on a three-day official visit.
Indian community members presented cultural performances to welcome him. They also chanted "Vande Mataram", "Bharat Mata ki Jai" and "Modi, Modi" slogans. Prime Minister Narendra Modi received a warm welcome in Melbourne with a rendition of "Vande Mataram" by the Australian Indian Orchestra. Ahead of his arrival in Australia, members of the Indian diaspora expressed enthusiasm for the visit and called for a deeper partnership between the two countries. Lucky Singh, a member of the Indian diaspora, said PM Modi's visit will strengthen the bilateral ties. "I am originally from Delhi. The Indian diaspora is very excited. It is wonderful that relations between the two countries have become so strong, and PM Narendra Modi's visit will strengthen them further. In the changing global scenario, the growing closeness between India and Australia, especially in business, is very important...India needs uranium, which can be supplied from here, while Australia requires essential professional IT experts from India. So, it would be excellent to see business expand significantly." Simarjit Singh, another member of the Indian community, told ANI that there will be good outcomes from the meeting between PM Modi and his Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese. "I originally hail from Uttar Pradesh and have been living in Melbourne for about 17 years. The head of the country is visiting. Naturally, there is excitement and happiness. As you know, there is a large Indian diaspora settled here in Australia, so a visit by the head of state is a wonderful thing in itself...whenever PM Narendra meets Anthony Albanese, they invariably bring something new for Indians, Australians, and communities on both sides. Good deals are struck, and expectations naturally rise," he said. Prakash Gupta, Australia-India Business Council's Treasurer for Victoria, expressed confidence that the visit will result in expanding trade ties between the two countries. "Australia and India have come a long way. Business was about $14 billion, it has reached about $55 billion...we are expecting by 2030, it's going to be $100 billion in trade between Australia and India..." Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Australia on Wednesday in the second leg of his three-nation visit and was accorded a warm welcome at the airport. During the three-day visit, PM Modi will hold talks with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and interact with the Indian diaspora. The visit will add vigour to the India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, PM Modi said in a post on X. "I look forward to the talks with Prime Minister Albanese. I will also have the opportunity to interact with the Indian diaspora, which is an important pillar of our partnership," he said. PM Modi was accorded a ceremonial welcome at the airport. PM Modi and his Australian counterpart are expected to take forward bilateral relations in the areas of defence and security, trade and investments, education and mobility and people-to-people ties. In his departure statement, PM Modi said the visit will also provide an opportunity for India and Australia to deepen our bilateral ties in the areas of emerging and critical technologies, sports and sports science. Australia's High Commissioner to India, Philip Green, shared a video message from Melbourne on Wednesday, noting that there is excitement about the visit. "Namaste Prime Minister Modi! A quick vibe check from Melbourne: the city is buzzing and ready to extend you a warm welcome. I've just arrived, and the excitement is palpable. A big week of conversations, connections, and progress for the Australia-India partnership," Green said in a post on X. "I know many people in here are focusing on the major diaspora engagement he will have, but, very, very important is the trade and commerce relationship between our countries. Already terrific with our first phase free trade agreement, that can get even stronger. Melbourne is also the city of culture, and we are looking to do more in the field of arts and culture with India," he added. PM Modi reached Australia in the second leg of his three-nation visit. He visited Indonesia and will later visit New Zealand. (ANI)
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