Prime Minister Narendra Modi along with his Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese addressed a special community event in Sydney on Tuesday. Modi was welcomed at Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney in a traditional manner.
Modi addressed the members of the Indian diaspora at the community event – to celebrate the country’s dynamic, diverse Indian diaspora, amid immense enthusiasm among the community members.
On the occasion, Modi announced that India will open a consulate in Brisbane to fulfil the long-pending demand by the diaspora.
Top points on PM Modi in Sydney:
1. “The last time I saw someone on this stage was Bruce Springsteen (American singer) and he did not get the welcome that Prime Minister Modi has got. Prime Minister Modi is the boss,” said Albanese at the community event. Bruce Springsteen is also known as ‘The Boss’.
2. Addressing the community event, Modi said, “When I came here in 2014, I made a promise to you that you will not have to wait for 28 years for an Indian Prime Minister. So, here I am in Sydney once again.”
3. “Our lifestyles may be different but now Yoga also connects us. We have been connected due to cricket for a long. But now tennis and films are also connecting us. We might prepare food in different manners but Masterchef is connecting us now.”
4. Modi said he heard that Chatkazz ‘Chaat’ and ‘Jalebi’ from Jaipur Sweets at Harris Park are very delicious. “I want you all to take my friend Australian PM Albanese to that place,” Modi said.
5. “Mutual trust and mutual respect have not developed only due to the diplomatic relations of India-Australia. The real reason, the real power is – all of you Indians who live in Australia,” Modi said.
6. Modi said today, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) considers India a bright spot in the global economy. “World Bank believes that if anyone is challenging global headwinds, it is India. The banking system in several countries is in trouble today but on the other hand, the strength of India’s banks is being appreciated everywhere,” the PM said.
7. The event’s organisers, the Indian Australian Diaspora Foundation (IADF), were expecting a crowd of more than 20,000. The programme started with cultural performances.
8. Supporters of Modi have organised special buses from Brisbane and Canberra. Before leaving for Japan to attend the G7 Summit in Hiroshima, Modi said he will meet the Indian community in Sydney at a special event.
9. Modi and Albanese will have a bilateral meeting on Wednesday.
10. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics 2016 census, 619,164 people in Australia declared that they were of ethnic Indian ancestry. This comprises 2.8 per cent of the Australian population. Among those, 592,000 were born in India. Prime Minister Modi last visited Australia in 2014.
