Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Australian PM Anthony Albanese in Sydney, Australia. (Twitter/@AlboMP)PM Modi in Australia Highlights, May 24: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today used a cricket analogy to describe the fast-expanding India-Australia ties, saying the relations have entered the “T-20 mode”. He was speaking after meeting with his Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese, in which they discussed a host of issues, including the vandalism of Indian temples.
PM Albanese said in a statement today that PM Modi’s visit to Australia has “strengthened the close and strong relationship that Australia enjoys with India.” Yesterday, the two leaders attended a mega community event at the Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney Olympic Park. Speaking at the event, PM Narendra Modi announced that India will open a new consulate in Brisbane soon.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Sydney on Monday as a part of the third and final leg of his three-nation visit after concluding his visits to Papua New Guinea and Japan.
Sydney's famous Opera House and Harbour were lit up in the colours of the Indian flag as a part of PM Modi's Australia visit, reports the news agency ANI.
The US Department of State Director, Australia, New Zealand, and Pacific Affairs, Taylor Ruggles today welcomed India's growing engagement with Papua New Guinea.
Ruggles said, "We welcome India's engagement in the region. Broadly speaking. India is not a member of the Partners in Blue Pacific (PBP), but it is an observer. So, part of the way that we have worked with other like-minded countries including Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Korea, and now, Canada Germany, as well, have defined ways that we can leverage our combined efforts to respond to Pacific Island needs." (ANI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi today used a cricket analogy to describe the fast-expanding India-Australia ties, saying the relations have entered the "T-20 mode".
"I came here within two months of my friend Prime Minister Albanese's visit to India. This is our sixth meeting in the last one year. This reflects the depth of our wide-ranging ties, the convergence of our views and the maturity of our cooperation," Modi said.
"If I may say in the language of cricket, then our relations have come in T-20 mode," he added. Albanese visited India in March to attend the annual India-Australia summit.
"I am inviting Prime Minister Albanese and all Australian cricket fans to come to India for the Cricket World Cup this year. At that time, along with cricket, you will also get to see the glitter and pomp of Diwali," Modi said. "The perspective of India-Australia relations is not limited to only our two countries. It is also associated with regional stability, peace and global welfare," Modi said in his media statement. (PTI)
Describing Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a "great friend" of Australia, the country's Leader of the Opposition Peter Dutton today said he was proud that the relations between the two countries were growing at a faster pace.
Modi met Dutton in Sydney during the third and final leg of his three-nation tour and called the meeting between the two of them "productive".
Prime Minister Modi thanked Dutton for the strong bipartisan support for the bilateral relations in Australia. The two leaders discussed various aspects of the bilateral ties as well as regional developments. (PTI)
PM Modi today took to Twitter to share a video rewind of his Australia trip, terming the relationship between the two countries as a "special one".
Australian PM Anthony Albanese said in a statement today that PM Modi's visit to Australia has "strengthened the close and strong relationship that Australia enjoys with India."
Prime Minister Narendra Modi today raised with his Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese India’s concerns over the recent incidents of attacks on temples in Australia and activities of pro-Khalistani elements in that country.
“Prime Minister Albanese and I have in the past discussed the issue of attacks on temples in Australia and activities of separatist elements. We discussed the matter today as well,” Modi said. “It is not acceptable to us that anyone hurt the friendly and cordial ties between India and Australia by their actions or ideology,” he said.
Modi thanked Albanese for taking action against those involved in such incidents. “Prime Minister Albanese assured me once again today that he will take strict actions against such elements in the future also,” Modi said. (Read more)
On May 23, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed a grand community programme for the Indian diaspora in Sydney. While PM Modi hailed the India-Australia ties as embodying “mutual trust and mutual respect”, his Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese called Modi “the boss.”
PM Modi announced that a new Indian consulate would soon open in Brisbane. The two Prime Ministers also laid the foundation stone for the ‘Little India’ gateway to be built in Harris Park, Sydney.
Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese today announced the opening of the new Australian Consulate General in an Indian city, Bengaluru, and said that this will help in connecting the country's businesses to India's booming digital and innovation ecosystem.
Addressing a joint press conference in Sydney, Australia, PM Albanese said, "I'm pleased to announce the establishment of a new Australian Consulate General in Bengaluru, which will help connect Australian businesses to India's booming digital and innovation ecosystem. And I welcome India's plans for a consulate general in Brisbane."
"The Bengaluru establishment will be the fifth diplomatic presence that is there in India from Australia. I want to thank you again, Prime Minister Modi for visiting and receiving such a warm welcome here. And I look forward to returning to India in September for the G 20 leaders summit," he added. (ANI)
Addressing the series of temple vandalisms across Australia, PM Modi said that he and his Australian counterpart had discussed the issue in the past and have discussed it again today. He said that it is not acceptable that anyone hurt the cordial relationship between India and Australia by their actions or ideology.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with his Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese today, and discussed a host of issues, including comprehensive economic cooperation and strategic cooperation in areas of mining and critical minerals. PM Modi also said that the Indian community in Australia is a living bridge between India and Australia.
Here are some salient points from the press meet:
? PM Modi said that India-Australia ties are based on mutual trust and confidence. He added that the Indian community in Australia is a living bridge between India and Australia.
? We discussed taking Indi and Australia's comprehensive strategic partnership to new heights, said PM Modi. He added that the two leaders held detailed discussions on the scope of cooperation in new areas.
? We decided to focus on a comprehensive economic cooperation agreement that will further boost economic ties, PM Modi said, adding that he had a constructive discussion on strategic cooperation in areas of mining and critical minerals with PM Albanese.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi today held a bilateral meeting with his Australian counterpart in Sydney, Australia. The meeting was also attended by India's External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar and National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval.
PM Modi was on Wednesday accorded a Ceremonial Guard of Honour at the Admiralty House in Sydney, Australia. Prime Minister Modi also signed the visitors' book at the Admiralty House in Sydney. (ANI)
Amid cheering by tens of thousands of supporters, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday addressed a grand community programme for the Indian diaspora in Sydney. While the PM hailed the India-Australia ties as embodying “mutual trust and mutual respect”, his Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese called Modi “the boss”.
Addressing the gathering at Sydney’s Qudos Bank Arena, which was attended by more than 21,000 people from across Australia, PM Modi announced that a new Indian consulate would soon open in Brisbane. The two Prime Ministers also laid the foundation stone for the ‘Little India’ gateway to be built in Harris Park, Sydney, which is inhabited by a large Indian community. (Read more)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi Tuesday, during his address at the community event in Sydney, lauded India’s banking system.
“Today, the IMF considers India a bright spot in the global economy. The World Bank believes that if anyone is challenging global headwinds, it is India. Banking system in several countries are in trouble today but on the other hand, the strength of India’s banks are being appreciated everywhere,” he said.
He went on to hail India's capabilities and availability of resources. “India has no dearth of capability or resources. Today, India is the biggest and youngest talent factory,” PM Modi asserted during his address.
The official spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs Arindam Bagchi Tuesday, following the foundation stone-laying ceremony of ‘Little India’ Gateway to be built in Harris Park, Parramatta, Sydney, said that it would serve as a symbol of "India-Australia friendship."
During his speech made at the event, Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the cricket ties between India and Australia. He said that millions of Indians were saddened when Australia spin bowler Shane Warne had passed away.
"When the great Shane Warne passed away last year, then along with Australia, each and every Indian also mourned," he said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi Tuesday, addressing the Indian diaspora at the mega community event in Sydney, Australia said, "The basis of historic ties between India and Australia is mutual trust and mutual respect."
Speaking at the event, Modi pushed for strengthening the ties between the two countries. He said, "There are many direct flights between India and Australia... their numbers would further be increased in the coming days."
Moreover, both countries have taken steps towards authorising each others' [educational] degrees, which students will be able to benefit from, said Modi during his speech.
He also announced that there has been a consensus on Migration and Mobility Partnership Agreement, which will ease travel and work in Australia for India's skilled professionals.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese Tuesday renamed the Sydney suburb as ‘Little India’ during the mega community event in Sydney, Australia.
Addressing the Indian diaspora in Sydney on Tuesday, India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that India will open a new consulate in Brisbane soon.
During his address, he also asserted India’s position in the world as the “force of global good.”
“India is always ready to help others whenever there is a disaster,” he said. He also hailed India as the “mother of democracy,” as well as a “bright spot” in the global economy.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, speaking at the community event in Sydney, said that PM Modi has got a welcome that rivals that of legendary musician Bruce Springsteen.
The community event at Sydney's Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney Olympic Park, featuring PM Narendra Modi and Australian PM Anthony Albanese, has kicked off.
PM Modi’s interactions with PM Albanese will be “an opportunity to take stock of our bilateral ties and follow up on our first India-Australia Annual Summit held in New Delhi in March this year,” as per an official statement released by the PMO.
PM Modi is slated to hold bilateral talks with his Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese on Wednesday. Albanese will also host a dinner for PM Modi, said Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra during a presser.
In addition, the PM will be attending a meeting with Australian Governor General David Hurley. He will also interact with Australian CEOs and business leaders, and address the Indian diaspora at a community event in Sydney.
The Prime Minister was previously scheduled to attend the Quad summit in Australia as well, but the event was cancelled last week. The leaders of the Quad had conducted their meeting in Hiroshima instead. (Read more)
The community event at Sydney's Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney Olympic Park is scheduled to begin soon.
In what is being seen as an oblique reference to China, Prime Minister Narendra Modi Monday told leaders of 14 Pacific Island nations on Monday that India would be a “reliable” development partner, even though those considered trustworthy were “not standing by our sides in times of need”.
Speaking at the Forum for India-Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC) summit in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, Modi said, “Those we considered trustworthy, it turned out they were not standing by our side in times of need. During these challenging times, an old saying has proven true: ‘A Friend in need is a friend indeed’. I am glad that India stood with its Pacific island friends during this challenging time [the Covid pandemic]. Whether it was vaccines or essential medicines, wheat or sugar; India, in line with its capabilities, has been assisting all partner countries,” reported PTI. (Read more)
Tens of thousands of overseas Indians are expected to cheer Prime Minister Narendra Modi at a rally in Sydney's biggest sporting arena today, a rare mass showing for a foreign leader in Australia.
Modi, who is visiting Australia for the first time since 2014, will look to use his popularity among expatriate Indians to boost support at home ahead of a general election next year, after his ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) lost a key state election in southern India this month.
About 20,000 supporters are expected to throng the Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney Olympic Park, one of the city's biggest indoor stadiums which has hosted international stars like Bruce Springsteen and the Backstreet Boys.
A chartered Qantas flight rebranded as "Modi Airways" will bring in fans from Melbourne and "Modi Express" buses are being chartered from Queensland, local ABC News reported. (Reuters)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi today interacted with prominent Australian public figures working in diverse fields like science, artificial intelligence, social work and art and music and encouraged them to contribute to strengthening the India-Australia relationship.
Modi arrived in Sydney yesterday for the third and final leg of his three-nation tour during which he will hold talks with his Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese tomorrow.
The prominent public figures Modi met included Nobel laureate Brian Paul Schmidt, ‘Toilet warrior' Mark Balla, artist Danielle Mate, rockstar Guy Sebastian and celebrity chef and restaurateur Sarah Todd. (PTI)
A recreational aircraft’s contrails spelt out the words 'Welcome, Modi' ahead of the community event in Sydney, reported the news agency ANI.
PM Modi's visit was covered by several Australian media houses, including two major publications — The Australian and The Sydney Morning Herald. While the former carried an interview with the PM, the latter ran an article on the community event planned for today.
PM Narendra Modi is the only one of the Quad nations' leaders to continue with his Australian visit plans after US President Joe Biden pulled out last week to return to Washington to focus on debt limit talks. Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, who hosted a Group of Seven meeting last week, later cancelled his Australia trip as well.
? Meet with Australian CEOs like Andrew Forrest (Executive Chairman, Fortescue Future Industries), Paul Schroder (CEO, Australian Super), and Gina Rinehart (Executive Chairman Hancock Prospecting)
? Meet and interact with influencers in Australia
? Meet with the Indian diaspora at Sydney’s Qudos Bank Arena stadium, with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in attendance. As per reports, the 20,000-seater stadium has been sold out. The event is being hosted by Indian Australian Diaspora Foundation, which, as per a report in The Sydney Morning Herald, has Jay Shah and Rahul Jethi as directors.
More than a year after Russia launched a war against Ukraine, Delhi continues to calibrate its position keeping an eye on the evolving situation. This was once again in evidence at the meeting of the G7 in Hiroshima, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi sent out three strong messages.
The first, a call to the international community to “raise your voice against unilateral attempts to change the status quo”, was a clearer reiteration of earlier Indian statements, particularly at the UN, in support of the “contemporary global order […] built on the UN Charter, international law, and respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states”. (Read more)
Narendra Modi has arrived in Sydney for his second Australian visit as Prime Minister and told local media he wants closer bilateral defense and security ties as China’s influence in the Indo-Pacific region grows.
Modi told Tuesday’s edition of The Australian newspaper he wanted to take India’s relationship with Australia to the “next level,” including closer defense and security ties to help ensure a free and open Indo-Pacific region.
“As two democracies, India and Australia have shared interests in a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific. There is alignment of our strategic viewpoint,” Modi told the newspaper. “The high degree of mutual trust between us has naturally translated into greater cooperation on defense and security matters. Our navies are participating in joint naval exercises. I am confident that there is merit in working together to realise the true potential in closer defense and security cooperation,” Modi added. (AP)
Informing about Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s schedule in Australia, Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra said: “PM Modi will hold a bilateral meeting with Australian PM Anthony Albanese, and meet Governor General David Hurley. He will also meet leading CEOs and address the Indian community here. Australian PM Anthony Albanese will also host a dinner for PM Modi.”
PM Modi is slated to hold bilateral talks with Australian PM Anthony Albanese on Wednesday. In addition, the PM will interact with Australian CEOs and business leaders, and address the Indian diaspora at a community event in Sydney. The Prime Minister was previously scheduled to attend the Quad summit in Australia as well, but the event was cancelled last week. The leaders of the Quad had conducted their meeting in Hiroshima instead.
Ahead of Modi’s arrival, Prime Minister Albanese said in a statement, “I am honoured to host Prime Minister Modi for an official visit to Australia, after receiving an extremely warm welcome in India earlier this year.” “Australia and India share a commitment to a stable, secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific. Together we have an important role to play in supporting this vision,” he said, amidst China’s aggressive behaviour in the region as well as its efforts to expand its influence.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has reached Australia after wrapping up his historic Papua New Guinea visit. He will be in Australia from May 22-24 as a guest of the government.
Indian High Commissioner to Australia Manpreet Vohra today appreciated Australian authorities for their "great responsiveness" on the vandalism of Hindu temples and said that he is confident to see a better situation.
In an exclusive interview with ANI, the Indian High Commissioner to Australia said, "We are seeing great responsiveness from the Australian authorities to our concerns. We are confident that they will go after those who violate the law and indulge in these hate crimes. I am quite confident that going forward, we will see a better situation." After completing his Papua New Guinea trip, PM Modi is scheduled to visit Australia today.
Responding to whether Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese will discuss the issue of vandalism of Hindu temples, Vohra said, "Vandalism of Hindu temples has been a concern in India and he has also raised a concern with Australian PM Anthony Albanese when he came to India. And we received a response from him as well." Earlier during his visit to India in March, Albanese had reiterated that Australia will act with "full force" to prevent attacks against Hindu temples. (ANI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Australia, early next week, despite the cancellation of the Quad Summit meeting in Sydney, is illustrative of the importance that New Delhi accords to the bilateral relationship with Canberra. This is Modi’s second visit to Australia since he assumed office. Few relationships have undergone such a dramatic transformation in just about a decade, and even fewer command greater bipartisan support in Canberra.
When we started the Australia India Institute in Melbourne over a decade ago, we were confronted by 60 years of misperception, lack of trust, neglect, missed opportunities and even hostility. Today, we can say a new chapter in India’s relations with Australia has well and truly begun. This partnership will survive the vicissitudes of international politics as it is built on a near-complete convergence of values and interests. For those in Australia who have roots in India, we see a seamless connectivity between the cultural mosaic of Parramatta in Sydney and Polo View in Srinagar. We are at home in both these culturally vibrant, robustly democratic societies and nations. (Read more)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday met his New Zealand counterpart Chris Hipkins during which they discussed the full range of bilateral ties and ways to expand cooperation in various sectors like trade and commerce, education and sports. /p>
Modi met Hipkins on the sidelines of the Forum for India-Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC) summit.
Wrapping up his Papua New Guinea visit, PM Narendra Modi headed to Australia today, where he is scheduled to meet with PM Anthony Albanese.
"My Papua New Guinea visit has been a historic one. I will greatly cherish the affection received among the people of this wonderful nation. I also had the opportunity to interact with respected FIPIC leaders and discuss ways to deepen ties with their respective nations. I thank PM James Marape for the warm welcome accorded. Now leaving for Australia to take part in various programmes in Sydney," the PM said in a note on Twitter.
Continuing with his engagements in Papua New Guinea, PM Narendra Modi today interacted with the alumni of the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation from across Pacific Island Countries, said the Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson.
"India’s ITEC network program, instituted in 1964, offers thousands of fully funded scholarships in various capacity building trainings to countries across the world," the spokesperson added.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese today said he is "honoured" to host Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Sydney and underlined that the two countries share a commitment to a stable, secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific.
Prime Minister Albanese also said that he looks forward to celebrating Australia's vibrant Indian community with Prime Minister Modi in Sydney on Tuesday.
Prime Minister Modi will visit Australia from May 22-24 as a guest of the Australian Government. (PTI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been conferred the highest honour of Fiji, the Companion of the Order of Fiji, by Sitiveni Rabuka, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Fiji, PMO tweeted Monday.
PM Modi said he was “delighted” to meet his Fiji counterpart and added that the relation between India and Fiji has stood the test of time. “We look forward to working together to further cement it in the coming years,” PM Modi tweeted. (Read more)
Indian cuisine and millets found a prominent place at the lunch hosted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for leaders attending the 3rd Summit of the Forum for India-Pacific Islands Cooperation in Port Moresby today.
The lunch included Khandvi, Millet and Vegetable Soup, Malai Kofta, Rajasthani Ragi Gatta Curry, Dal Panchmel, Millet Biryani, Nannu Fulka and Masala Chaas. Paan Kulfi and Malpua were served as desserts. Drinks included Masala Tea, Green Tea, Mint Tea and freshly brewed PNG coffee.
The inclusion of millet in the menu reflects the importance India gives to these small-seeded foods. The UN General Assembly in March 2021 declared 2023 as the International Year of Millets at the behest of the Government of India. (PTI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday underlined the importance of a free and open Indo-Pacific for the Pacific island nations and said the Quad is working in this direction.
In an address at the FIPIC (Forum for India-Pacific Islands Cooperation) summit, Modi also emphasised the need for multilateralism and respecting the sovereignty and integrity of all countries.
The summit took place at a time when China is making efforts to enhance its military and diplomatic influence in the region. (Read more)
Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape on Monday told Prime Minister Narendra Modi that the Pacific Islands nations consider the Indian premier as the leader of the Global South and will rally behind India's leadership at international forums.
Highlighting the problems faced by Pacific Islands nations due to the Russia-Ukraine war, Marape said this while addressing the third India-Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC) Summit which was co-chaired by PM Modi.
"We are victims of global powerplay... You (PM Modi) are the leader of Global South. We will rally behind your (India) leadership at global forums," said Marape. He pointed to the inflationary pressure on his country due to the Russia-Ukraine conflict. (ANI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said today that during his meeting with Prime Minister James Marape, the leaders discussed ways to augment cooperation in commerce, technology, healthcare and in addressing climate change.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday held talks with his Papua New Guinea counterpart James Marape took stock of their bilateral relations and discussed ways to further augment cooperation in areas like commerce, technology, healthcare and climate change.
Modi, the first Indian prime minister to visit the country, also reiterated India’s support and respect for the priorities and wishes of the Pacific Island nations.
He also met the island nation’s Governor-General Bob Dadae separately and discussed ways to further strengthen the bilateral partnership across multiple sectors. (Read more)
The United States is scheduled to sign a new security pact with Papua New Guinea on Monday as it continues to compete with China for influence in the Pacific.
Papua New Guinea's location just north of Australia makes it strategically significant. It was the site of fierce battles during World War II, and with a population of nearly 10 million people, it's the most populous Pacific Island nation.
The State Department said the new agreement would provide a framework to help improve security cooperation, enhance the capacity of Papua New Guinea's defense force and increase regional stability. (AP)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi was given a warm welcome by Papua New Guinea’s PM James Marape after he landed in the country for the Forum for India–Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC) summit on Sunday.
In a video, Marape and Modi can be seen exchanging a hug and shaking hands after which Marape bends down to touch Modi’s feet. (Read more)
Good morning!
Welcome to the live blog where we bring to you the latest updates on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's ongoing official international visits to Papaua New Guinea and Australia. Follow the blog and @IndianExpress to stay up to date in real time.