Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi received a rousing welcome during his visit to Australia, with members of the Indian diaspora and local communities greeting him with traditional cultural performances, patriotic songs, and enthusiastic chants. Upon his arrival in Melbourne, Modi participated in the “Melbourne Meets Modi” event at Marvel Stadium alongside Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. As the Prime Minister entered the venue, the stadium echoed with chants of “Modi, Modi,” reflecting the excitement among thousands of attendees. Australian media provided extensive live coverage of the event, highlighting the large turnout and the significance of the visit.

Addressing the gathering, Modi spoke about the deep-rooted relationship between India and Australia, emphasizing cooperation in trade, technology, education, and strategic partnerships. He also entertained the audience with his trademark humour and references to Indian culture, drawing repeated applause. Prime Minister Albanese praised the growing ties between the two nations and acknowledged the contribution of the Indian community to Australia’s development.

During his speech, Modi noted that this was his third visit to Australia as Prime Minister, describing it as another step toward taking bilateral relations to greater heights. He recalled his first visit to Australia as a backpacker in 1991 and reflected on India’s transformation over the past three decades. Modi said that building a developed India remains the central goal of his government and stressed that national security and economic growth go hand in hand.

Highlighting India’s recent achievements, the Prime Minister referred to successful space missions such as Chandrayaan and Gaganyaan, while expressing confidence that India would soon roll out 6G technology. He said India’s greatest strength lies in its 1.4 billion people and praised the Indian diaspora for integrating into societies around the world while making meaningful contributions to their adopted countries. Concluding his address, Modi thanked the people of Australia, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, and the Indian community for the warm reception, expressing optimism about a stronger future partnership between the two nations.