PM Modi’s visit electrifies Sydney with massive rally by Indian diaspora

Tens of thousands of people packed the Qudos Bank Arena at Sydney Olympic Park on Tuesday to listen to Prime Minister Narendra Modi at a community reception which was also attended by Australian PM Anthony Albanese and several top officials.

Members of the Indian diaspora started arriving in Sydney from all corners of Australia long before PM Modi touched down at Sydney International Airport on Monday evening.

Special chartered flights – which Australian Indians labeled as ‘Modi Airways’ – were organised from cities like Melbourne.

“It’s like an early Christmas and Diwali for us Indian diaspora in Australia,” local media quoted Sachin Dahiya, who organised the flight, as saying. He added that the charter was sold out in just two days.\

Gathered in large numbers, the community gave a rousing reception to PM Modi who is visiting Australia for the first time since 2014.

As they made their way to the venue, both leaders were welcomed with Vedic chants by priests and also traditional greetings.

Addressing the massive gathering just before PM Modi, Albanese just couldn’t hide is excitement.

“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. Prime Minister Modi is the boss,” said the Australian PM.

The atmosphere in Sydney got electric as PM Modi walked onto the stage amid chants of ‘Bharat Mata ki Jai’ and ‘Modi Modi’.

In his speech, Prime Minister Modi stated that the India-Australia relationship may be known by cricket and Masterchef, but is bound by mutual trust and respect.

“Earlier, it was said that India and Australia relation is defined by 3Cs – Commonwealth, cricket and curry. Then it was said that our relationship is defined by ‘democracy, diaspora and dosti. Some people also said that our relationship depends on energy, economy and education. But I believe that the relation between India-Australia is beyond this, it is mutual trust and mutual respect,” he said.

Referring to India as the ‘mother of democracy’, he spotlighted that the country is guided by the principle of ‘One Earth, One Family, One Future’ which is also in line with the ethos of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’.

PM Modi also said in his address that the country is a “bright spot” in the global economy.

“IMF considers India the bright spot of global economy. According to World Bank, if there’s any country which is withstanding global headwinds, it’s India. India has made record exports even in the most challenging times”.

Prime Minister told the packed venue that India has made great strides in the last nine years, opening around 500 million bank accounts for the poor people and transforming the entire eco-system of public delivery.

Recognising the diaspora’s role as a bridge between India and Australia, the two leaders also laid the foundation stone of ‘Little India’ Gateway to be built in Harris Park in Sydney’s Parramatta which is inhabited by a large Indian community.

Councillor Sameer Pandey, who is Parramatta’s first Lord Mayor of Indian origin, said that the city was a fitting location for PM Modi’s community event.

“We are honoured that he (PM Modi) chose to visit the City of Parramatta which is home to one of the largest populations of Indian and South-East Asian people in Australia and took the time to meet with Council,” said Pandey.