PM Modi’s Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese also attended the event and said that the 20,000-strong crowd was one of the largest to gather at the Sydney’s Qudos Bank Arena, where the event was held.
“The last time I saw someone on this stage was Bruce Springsteen and he did not get the welcome that Prime Minister Modi has got. PM Modi is the Boss,” said Albanese at the community event in Sydney.
The event was organised by the Indian Australian Diaspora Foundation (IADF). PM Modi and Albanese will have a bilateral meeting on Wednesday.
Here are the top quotes from PM Modi’s address:
- 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 PM. So, here I am in Sydney once again
- India-Australia relationship is based on mutual trust and mutual respect
- It was once said that India-Oz ties were defined by the 3Cs: Commonwealth, Cricket and Curry
- This was followed by 3D: Democracy, Diaspora and Dosti
- Some even said that ties were defined on 3E: Energy, Economy and Education
- All these definitions are true but the strongest link between our ties is mutual respect and trust
- 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
- I thank my Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese for helping me unveil the foundation stone of ‘Little India’, a suburb of Sydney
- The ‘Little India’ is a recognition of the contribution of the Indian community to the development of Australia
- I’ve heard that Chatkazz ‘Chaat’ and ‘Jalebi’ from Jaipur Sweets at Harris Park is very delicious. I want you all to take my friend Australian PM Albanese to that place
- Our cricket-based relationship has completed 75 years. As intense as the on-field match is, our relationship is equally deep off the field
- Last year when Shane Warner died, hundreds of Indians were also mourning. We felt like we have lost someone very close to us
- Our lifestyles may be different but now Yoga also connects us. We have been connected due to cricket for long. But now tennis and films are also connecting us. We might prepare food in different manners but Masterchef is connecting us now
- Which country is the fastest growing economy today? Which country is the second largest mobile manufacturer? Which country launched the most massive Covid vaccination programme? Which country is the largest smartphone data consumer? PM Modi asks. Crowd replies ‘India!’ after every question
- Our dream is to see India become a developed nation. IMF and the World bank consider India a bright spot in the global economy
- Banking system in several countries are in trouble today but on the other hand, the strength of India’s banks are being appreciated everywhere
- The largest youth talent factory in the world is in India. India has no dearth of capability or resources
- The Indian Australians accept India’s diversity with an open heart. And that’s the reason why Paramarta Square becomes “Parmatma Chowk”, Wigrum street becomes “Vikram street”, and Harris park becomes “Harish park”
- New Indian consulate will be opened in Brisbane soon
- Amid the once-in-a-100-years crisis, India made record exports last year. Today, our Forex reserve is scaling new heights. Example of how India is working for global good lies in our digital stake. You are well aware of India’s FinTech revolution
- During the pandemic, while many countries faced challenges in distributing funds, India stood out amongst the few nations capable of remitting money with a single click
- India excels in running the world’s biggest vaccination campaign. It is also the fastest-growing economy, leading in smartphone data, fintech, milk production, internet users, mobile manufacturing, rice/wheat production, and startup ecosystem rankings
- Back in 2014, I had promised that India’s poorest will also have their own bank accounts. Today, about 500 million bank accounts have been opened
Supporters of PM Modi had organised special buses from Brisbane and Canberra to the event.
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% of the Australian population. Among those, 592,000 were born in India. Prime Minister Modi last visited Australia in 2014.
In an interview with “The Australian” newspaper, PM Modi had said he wants to take the relationship with Australia to the “next level”, including closer defence and security ties to help ensure an “open and free” Indo-Pacific.