Melbourne, Australia, July 8 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi received a warm welcome from members of the Indian community as he arrived in Australia on Wednesday for a three-day official visit.
Members of the Indian diaspora greeted the prime minister with cultural performances and chants of “Vande Mataram,” “Bharat Mata Ki Jai,” and “Modi, Modi.”
PM Modi was also welcomed in Melbourne with a rendition of “Vande Mataram” by the Australian Indian Orchestra.
Ahead of his arrival, members of the Indian diaspora expressed enthusiasm about the visit and voiced hope for deeper cooperation between India and Australia.
Lucky Singh, a member of the Indian community, said the visit would further strengthen 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 skilled IT professionals from India. It would be excellent to see business expand significantly,” he said.
Simarjit Singh, another member of the Indian community, told ANI that he expects positive outcomes from the meeting between PM Modi and Australian Prime Minister 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 government is a wonderful thing in itself. Whenever PM Narendra Modi meets Anthony Albanese, they invariably bring something new for Indians, Australians, and communities on both sides. Good agreements are reached, and expectations naturally rise,” he said.
Prakash Gupta, treasurer of the Australia India Business Council in Victoria, expressed confidence that the visit would further expand trade between the two countries.
“Australia and India have come a long way. Bilateral trade was about $14 billion, and it has reached about $55 billion. We expect that by 2030, trade between Australia and India will reach $100 billion,” he said.
Prime Minister Modi arrived in Australia on Wednesday in the second leg of his three-nation tour and received a ceremonial welcome at the airport.
During the three-day visit, PM Modi will hold talks with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and interact with the Indian diaspora.
In a post on X, PM Modi said the visit would add momentum to the India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
“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 and Albanese are expected to advance cooperation in defense and security, trade and investment, education and mobility, and people-to-people ties.
In his departure statement, PM Modi said the visit would also provide an opportunity to deepen bilateral cooperation in emerging and critical technologies, sports, and sports science.
Australia’s High Commissioner to India, Philip Green, shared a video message from Melbourne on Wednesday, saying there was widespread excitement about the prime minister’s 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 here are focusing on the major diaspora engagement he will have, but equally important is the trade and commercial relationship between our countries. Already strengthened by our first-phase free trade agreement, it can become 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.
Australia is the second stop on PM Modi’s three-nation tour. He previously visited Indonesia and will travel to New Zealand following his visit to Australia. (ANI)
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