PM Modi arrived in Australia on a three-day visit, where the Indian community gave him a grand welcome with slogans of ‘Modi, Modi’. During this visit, he will hold bilateral talks with his Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese and focus on strengthening trade and defense ties.
melbourne [ऑस्ट्रेलिया]July 8 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Australia on Wednesday on a three-day official visit, where he was warmly welcomed by members of the Indian community. Members of the Indian community gave cultural presentations to welcome him. They also raised slogans of “Vande Mataram”, “Bharat Mata ki Jai” and “Modi, Modi”.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi was warmly welcomed in Melbourne with the 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.
An atmosphere of excitement in the Indian community
Indian diaspora member Lucky Singh said that PM Modi’s visit will strengthen bilateral relations. “I am originally from Delhi. The Indian diaspora is very excited. It is great that relations between the two countries have become so strong, and PM Narendra Modi’s visit will further strengthen them. In the changing global scenario, the growing proximity between India and Australia, especially in trade, is very important…India needs uranium, which can be supplied from here, while Australia needs the required professional IT experts from India. Therefore, it would be great to see trade grow significantly.”
Simarjit Singh, another member of the Indian community, told ANI that the meeting between PM Modi and his Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese will yield good results. “I am originally 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, Australia has a large Indian diaspora, so the visit of the head of state is a wonderful thing in itself…Whenever PM Narendra Modi meets Anthony Albanese, he always brings something new to the table for Indians, Australians and the communities on both sides. Good deals, and expectations increases naturally,” he said.
Focus on business relations
Australia-India Business Council Victoria Treasurer Prakash Gupta expressed confidence that the visit will result in enhanced trade relations between the two countries. “Australia and India have come a long way. The trade was about $14 billion, it has reached about $55 billion…We are expecting that by 2030, the trade between India and Australia will be $100 billion…”
Purpose of visit and bilateral talks
Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Australia on Wednesday on the second leg of his three-nation tour and was given 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. PM Modi said in a post on Twitter that the visit will further strengthen the India-Australia comprehensive strategic partnership. “I look forward to talks with Prime Minister Albanese. I will also have the opportunity to interact with the Indian diaspora, an important pillar of our partnership,” he said.
PM Modi was formally welcomed at the airport. PM Modi and his Australian counterpart are expected to take forward bilateral relations in the areas of defense and security, trade and investment, 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 relations in the areas of emerging and critical technologies, sports and sports science.
Australian High Commissioner also expressed enthusiasm
Australia’s High Commissioner to India, Philip Green, shared a video message from Melbourne on Wednesday, saying there is excitement about the visit. “Hello Prime Minister Modi! A quick vibe check from Melbourne: the city is buzzing and ready to warmly welcome you. I’ve just arrived, and the excitement can clearly be felt. A great week of conversation, connection and progress for the Australia-India partnership,” Green said in a post on X.
“I know a lot of people here are focusing on their major diaspora engagement, but, the trade and commerce relationship between our countries is very, very important. It’s already fantastic with our Phase One Free Trade Agreement, which can only get stronger. Melbourne is also a city of culture, and we’re looking forward to doing more in the arts and culture sector with India,” he said. PM Modi reached Australia in the second leg of his three-nation tour. He visited Indonesia and will later visit New Zealand. (ANI)
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