Prime Minister Narendra Modi along with his Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese arrived at the venue in Sydney on Tuesday to attend a special community event to celebrate the country's dynamic, diverse Indian diaspora, amid immense enthusiasm among the community members.
The prime minister was welcomed traditionally upon his arrival. A recreational plane traced the words 'Welcome Modi' in the Sydney sky ahead of the event organised by the Indian diaspora.
Modi is on a three-day visit to Australia. Over 20,000 members of the Indian diaspora have crowded the Qudos Bank arena to attend the event welcoming Modi.
“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,” Australian PM Anthony Albanese told PTI. PM Modi met Nobel laureate Brian Paul Schmidt and had a conversation with him on science and research. Schmidt said Modi is certainly one of the most visible leaders that India has had.
A statement released by the PMO said the meetings 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.” The prime minister, who is currently at the Qudos Arena will address the Indian diaspora present for the multi-cultural event.
"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 Australian Albanese at the community event. Ahead of the event, PMO tweeted, “Immense enthusiasm in Sydney for the community programme, which begins soon…” “An absolute delight connecting with the Indian diaspora at the community programme in Sydney!” Narendra Modi tweeted.
– With PTI inputs