PM Narendra Modi addressing Indian community, in Sydney on May 23, 2023.
Sydney: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, along with his Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese addressed and interacted with the Indian community members at the Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney today.
Both Prime Ministers also jointly unveiled the foundation stone for a ‘Little India’ Gateway to be built in Harris Park in Parramatta, Western Sydney, which is home to a large Indian community.
In his address, Modi outlined India’s growing achievements on a global scale and noted that the world was increasingly interested in India’s success stories. He highlighted the deepening engagement between India and Australia and announced that an Indian Consulate would be opened in Brisbane.
Modi highlighted “Mutual Trust and Mutual Respect” as the foundation of the close historical ties between India and Australia, and underscored the numerous elements that bind the two countries. He lauded the contribution and success of the Indian community in Australia, calling them cultural and brand Ambassadors of India.
The Indian diaspora, consisting of students, researchers, professionals and business persons, participated in the event. A number of Ministers, Members of Parliament and other dignitaries from Australia also participated in the event.
Earlier, Modi had meetings with some leading Australian business honchos. Industrialist Dr Andrew Forrest, Executive Chairman and Founder of Fortescue Metals Group and Fortescue Future Industries briefed the PM on his group’s plans to work with Indian companies in the field of Green Hydrogen. In his meeting with Paul Schroder, Chief Executive, AustralianSuper, a superannuation fund, Modi highlighted India’s credentials as one of the most preferred major economies for foreign investments in the world and invited AustralianSuper to partner with India. Moreover, in his meeting with Gina Rinehart AO, Executive Chairman, Hancock Prospecting Group, Roy Hill, S. Kidman & Co he highlighted the transformative reforms and initiatives being undertaken in India and invited her to partner in technology, investment and skills in the mining and minerals sector.
Besides, Modi also met some prominent Australian personalities in separate meetings in Sydney today. These personalities included Professor Brian P. Schmidt, Noble laureate in Physics and Vice-Chancellor and President of Australian National University, Canberra; Mark Balla, business specialist and accomplished public speaker on humanitarian issues; Danielle Mate Sullivan, aboriginal artist; Sarah Todd, international chef, restaurateur, TV host, speaker and entrepreneur; Professor Toby Walsh, chief scientist, Artificial Intelligence Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney; Associate Professor Salvatore Babones, sociologist, researcher and author; and Guy Theodore Sebastian, a leading Australian singer. The Prime Minister congratulated them on their achievements and encouraged them to contribute to strengthening the India-Australia relationship.
– global bihari bureau
