Thousands of Indian-Australians have gathered at Qudos Bank Arena in Western Sydney to welcome Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Tickets to Mr Modi’s community event at the 20,000 capacity Qudos Bank Arena sold out weeks ago, with Indian-Australians flocking to the venue to catch a glimpse of the popular leader.
Mr Modi arrived in Australia on Monday night ahead of two-days of meetings with community and business groups, as well as a formal one-on-one bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
Ahead of the stadium event Mr Modi met with Australian celebrities, including singer Guy Sebastian, who shared a picture shaking hands with the Indian PM.
I was humbled to be able to discuss many things, including my mother’s Indian heritage, how proud I am of my own Indian heritage, as well as the arts and my music,” Sebastian said in an Instagram post.
Guy Sebastian meeting with Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi. Picture: Instagram
“We also discussed my plans to visit India this year.
“Prime Minister Modi was incredibly humble, warm and generous with his time.”
Indian diplomats greet India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi as he arrives at the Sydney international airport to begin his three-day official visit to Australia. Picture: David Gray/AFP
Hours before Mr Modi was due to address the crowd at Qudos Bank Arena in the Sydney Olympic Park precinct, crowds dressed in saris and traditional outfits had already packed out the stadium.
Before Mr Modi’s arrival, audiences were entertained with garba performances — a traditional dance form originating from the Prime Minister’s state of Gujarat.
NSW Treasurer Daniel Mookhey, who is of Indian heritage, was among the politicians who welcomed Mr Modi when he landed in Sydney.
“Welcoming the Indian Prime Minister to Sydney in Hindi on behalf of the people of NSW was the honour of a lifetime. He was full of energy, especially after a long flight,” he said.
Artists perform cultural dance at an event to welcome India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Qudos Arena in Sydney on May 23, 2023. Picture: David Gray/Pool
NSW Opposition leader Mark Speakman, health spokesman Matt Kean and former multicultural minister Mark Coure, Labor Liverpool MP Charishma Kaliyanda and federal Coalition foreign affairs spokesman Simon Birmingham were also spotted in the crowd.
Mr Modi’s visit has not been welcomed by all members of the Australian Indian diaspora, with his imminent arrival sparking an uptick in sectarian activity.
A sold-out screening of a BBC documentary exploring Mr Modi’s role in the 2002 Gujarat riots and the persecution of Muslims in his country, which has been banned in India, will be held at Parliament House in Canberra on Wednesday.