Victoria Premier Jacinta Allen praised the Indian community, calling India a ‘trusting country’. In PM Modi’s program, he said that the Indian community is a part of Victoria and they have complete freedom to maintain their Indian identity.
‘India is a country we trust’
melbourne [ऑस्ट्रेलिया]July 9 (ANI): Victoria Premier Jacinta Allen on Thursday described India as “a country we trust” and underlined the deep people-to-people ties between India and the Australian state, saying the Indian community in Victoria is “a part of us.”
Addressing the Indian diaspora at a community event during PM Modi’s visit to Australia, Allen said Victoria greatly values its partnership with India and welcomed Indian students, businesses, families and ideas. “Mr. Modi, I urge you to take this message with you to India. Victoria respects India. We value your people. We welcome your students, your businesses, your families, your ideas. In Victoria, the Indian community is not just accepted, they are a part of us,” Allen said.
Highlighting the growing strategic and economic ties with India, the Premier of Victoria said, “India is not just a country we trade with, it is a country we trust.”
‘No need to choose between being Indian and Victorian’
Sending a strong message to the Indian diaspora, Allen said community members do not need to choose between their Indian identity and their place in Victoria. “To the great, strong Indian community of Victoria here tonight, I want to say this. You are welcome here. Your children will never have to choose between being proudly Indian and proudly Victorian. Because in this state, you can be both,” she said.
Allen added, “Here in Victoria, you can be whoever you want, and still be who you are.”
Welcoming Prime Minister Modi to Melbourne, Allen thanked him for visiting Victoria and acknowledged the role played by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in enhancing bilateral relations. “Prime Minister Modi, thank you. Thank you for honoring Melbourne and Victoria with your visit. Prime Minister Albanese, thank you for your leadership, which has strengthened Australia’s ties with the world’s largest democracy,” he said.
His remarks came during a high-profile community event attended by both the Prime Ministers and members of the Indian diaspora, reflecting the growing importance of people-to-people ties as a key pillar of the India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
Expansion of India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership
Ahead of the event, PM Modi also met several members of the Indian community in Australia. Around 30 thousand people have gathered to listen to Prime Minister Narendra Modi as he is scheduled to address the Indian diaspora at a community event. This gathering is probably the largest ever attended by any leader in Australia.
Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi concluded a high-level summit with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in Melbourne on Thursday, marking a significant expansion of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP). The visit resulted in 18 landmark outcomes, strengthening ties in defence, energy, critical technology and trade.
Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Australia witnessed 18 key outcomes including defence, maritime security, energy, critical technologies, education, mining, research and cultural cooperation, significantly expanding the India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. (ANI)
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