Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed a large gathering in Melbourne, expressing India’s eagerness to advance and achieve greater milestones. The event, titled Melbourne Meets Modi, saw more than 20,000 attendees at Docklands Stadium.
Mr. Modi, who will spend an additional day in Melbourne before heading to New Zealand, received an enthusiastic reception from the crowd, which cheered heartily and illuminated the venue with their mobile phone lights. In his speech, he emphasized India’s robust growth in technology and the economy, stating, “This is the India that grows more, achieves more. We are impatient; we are the fastest-growing economy in the world.” He conveyed his aspirations for India to become one of the top three global economies, driven by a desire for continued growth and achievement.
This visit marked Mr. Modi’s third trip to Australia as Prime Minister, which he referred to as a “hat trick,” highlighting the strengthening ties between India and Australia. He also celebrated India’s military actions against what his government describes as terrorist camps in Pakistan, eliciting a strong response from the audience. “Didn’t you feel proud when India carried out such a decisive strike against terrorist camps?” he asked, referring to the impact of those actions.
Australian leaders received varied reactions during the event. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was met with enthusiastic applause, while Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan faced a more muted reception, including some boos. However, her remarks about India’s significance to Australia were well-received, stating that India is “not just a country that we trade with; it’s a country that we trust.”
The backdrop of the rally included rising anti-immigration sentiments, with a small group of far-right protesters demonstrating outside the stadium against Indian immigration and Mr. Modi. Nevertheless, Mr. Albanese reaffirmed his support for multiculturalism, referring to the Indian Australian community as a “living bridge” between the two nations. “We are a better nation because we have you in it,” he declared.
Security was heightened at the event, with police dogs checking vehicles and a significant police presence managing the crowd and keeping protesters separate from supporters. Among the demonstrators were a small group advocating for Khalistan, a separate Sikh homeland, and others focused on raising awareness of alleged human rights violations in India attributed to Mr. Modi’s administration. Waseem Razvi, head of the Alliance Against Islamophobia, stated his intention to combat hate and discrimination, emphasizing the importance of addressing human rights issues.
Despite the presence of dissenters, the majority of Indian Australians at the stadium came to show their support for Mr. Modi. Many attendees began queuing outside the venue hours in advance, eager to witness the Prime Minister’s address. Anita Dhiman, who attended with her children, expressed pride in welcoming Mr. Modi, asserting that he has accomplished much for the country. Her daughter, Sonali, while not deeply political, shared her excitement about seeing him in person.
Another attendee, Pallavi Jaura, remarked that this was her first opportunity to meet Mr. Modi, calling him “the most inspiring leader in the world.” As temperatures dropped near freezing, the crowd continued to chant patriotic slogans and waited patiently for the leaders to arrive. Jay Patel and Darshan Prajapati drove from Adelaide, leaving home at 4 a.m., and expressed no regrets about their decision to attend, calling Mr. Modi “one of the most powerful leaders in the world.”
