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Australian PM in Vietnam to bolster ties

Albanese’s visit comes as Australia and Vietnam celebrate 50 years of diplomatic relations….reports Asian Lite News

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese met with his Vietnamese counterpart Pham Minh Chinh on Sunday, discussing enhancing bilateral relations between the two nations.

During the meeting, Albanese, who paid a two-day official visit to Vietnam, announced a package of 105 million Australian dollars ($69.5 million) to aid Vietnam in combating climate change, Xinhua news agency reported.

Australia will also expand a programme that enables collaboration between Australia’s national science agency and its Vietnamese counterparts to commercialise joint science research in areas like applied agriculture.

Albanese’s visit comes as Australia and Vietnam celebrate 50 years of diplomatic relations.

Australia is Vietnam’s seventh-largest trading partner, while Vietnam ranks 10th among Australia’s trading partners.

ALSO READ: Australian envoy meets Karnataka CM in Bengaluru

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Sport Sports

WTC: Australia gears up for battle with India

The Australian team management is also keeping a wary eye on The Oval ground where they have a poor record…reports Asian Lite News

Members of Australia’s men’s cricket team have started their preparations for the upcoming World Test Championships (WTF) final and the Ashes series against England at their United Kingdom-based training centre in South London.

As the Australians step up their preparations for their first challenge of facing India in the WTC final at The Oval from June 7, Pat Cummins’ side will be going all-out in the chase of their maiden World Test Championship title.

However, the team management is also keeping a wary eye on The Oval ground where they have a poor record at The Oval where they will start their summer campaign. They would have liked to have started their campaign at the Lord’s rather than The Oval.

“But given the evidence tendered by more than 140 years of Test cricket in the United Kingdom, they might have fancied their chances of taking the title even more if the showpiece was staged at Lord’s rather than The Oval,” cricket.com.au reported on Thursday.

From 39 matches at Lord’s since 1884, Australia have 17 wins for a success rate of 43.59 per cent. By contrast, Australia’s record at The Oval – where the rivalry that became the Ashes was spawned in 1880 – is markedly worse, with just seven wins from 38 starts (18.42 per cent).

When the World Test Championship was first planned in 2010, the final of the four-year competition was planned to be held at the Lord’s. As the event could eventually start only after a gap of a decade, Lord’s has not hosted the WTC final due to commercial realities.

But the global Covid-19 pandemic scuppered that plan, with the final instead held at Southampton’s Rose Bowl where on-site accommodation ensured competing teams New Zealand and India could maintain a level of bio-security isolation, the report said.

When venues for the 2023 final were discussed last year, it emerged that financial considerations – in particular, the ICC’s stipulation for a ‘clean’ stadium free from existing membership requirements and adorned in its own sponsors’ livery – meant Lord’s faced potential commercial conflicts. And so the event was awarded to The Oval, the report said.

So, while hosts England will take on Ireland in a one-off Test at Lord’s starting on Thursday, their Ashes rivals will face the challenge posed by India at The Oval and prepare for that with a first full training session of their UK sojourn on county club Kent’s quaintly bucolic out-ground at Beckenham, 20km from central London.

Meanwhile, the remaining players of the Indian squad, who were involved in the IPL Playoffs, have reached London and will also be starting their preparations for the WTC Final.

ALSO READ: Ambati Rayudu bids adieu to cricket

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-Top News Australia India News

Australian envoy meets Karnataka CM in Bengaluru

The two discussed how Australia’s soon-to-open Consulate-General in Bengaluru will enable closer collaboration in critical areas …reports Asian Lite News

Australian High Commissioner to India Barry O’Farrell on Thursday met Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in Bengaluru. The two discussed how Australia’s soon-to-open Consulate-General in Bengaluru will enable closer collaboration in critical areas like education, innovation, space and rural development.

“Met and congratulated #Karnataka’s new #ChiefMinister @siddaramaiah ji on his election victory. We discussed how Australia’s soon-to-open Consulate-General in #NammaBengaluru will enable closer collaboration in critical areas like education, innovation, space and rural development,” O’Farrell tweeted on Thursday. Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese recently 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.

After exchanging the MoUs on mobility, migration, and green hydrogen task force, PM Modi and the Australian PM addressed the press conference in Australia.

The Australian PM also spoke about his meeting with PM Modi in a year. He said that this is the sixth meeting with PM Modi in a year. He also talked about the Quad Summit, which took place in Japan’s Hiroshima on the sidelines of the Group of Seven or G7 Summit.

The Australian PM reiterated the Quad Summit statement and said, “Quad leaders stand together for an open, stable, secure, and prosperous Indo-Pacific region. A region where sovereignty is respected and all countries large and small benefit from a regional balance that keeps the peace. This is my 6th meeting with prime minister Modi in one year.” (ANI)

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India News Sport Sports

Women’s hockey team ends tour with thrilling 2-1 win over Australia

Navneet Kaur (10′) and Deep Grace Ekka (25′) scored the goals for India while Abigail Wilson (22′) scored the lone goal for Australia ‘A’….reports Asian Lite News

The Indian women’s hockey team put up a spirited showing in the fifth and final game of their tour, defeating Australia ‘A’ 2-1 in a closely-fought tie here on Saturday, ending their tour Down Under on a positive.

Navneet Kaur (10′) and Deep Grace Ekka (25′) scored the goals for India while Abigail Wilson (22′) scored the lone goal for Australia ‘A’.

Having won the previous encounter 3-2, Australia ‘A’ started with confidence, maintaining possession early on. Gurjit Kaur remained alert in the defence for the Indian women’s hockey team, not allowing the opposition entry inside the circle.

Earning three quick penalty corners, India put pressure on the Australia ‘A’ defence and Navneet Kaur (10′) scored the first goal with a reverse hit to give India the lead.

The second quarter started with India continuing to build momentum from the backward line. But Australia ‘A’ managed to get a shot on target from a quick counter-attack, only for captain Savita to make the save. Australia ‘A’ earned their first penalty corner of the night midway into the second quarter, and Abigail Wilson (22′) struck the back of the nets with a drag-flick to level the scoreline. But minutes later, Deep Grace Ekka (25′) put India back in the lead with a drag flick of her own on a penalty corner.

With Vandana Katariya building an attack from the left flank at the start of the second half, India earned another quick penalty corner. But this time, the Australia ‘A’ defence managed to avert the danger.

Controlling the midfield, Neha Goyal set up penetrating runs for Indian attackers as Australia ‘A’ defence felt the pressure. India managed to maintain their 2-1 lead as the third quarter came to a close.

Vandana continued to put pressure on Australia ‘A’, at the start of the final quarter, with a dribbling run inside the circle. With 15 minutes left on the clock, both teams started showcasing urgency.

India earned a late penalty corner to create another chance to increase their lead. But the Australia ‘A’ defence managed to save the set-piece to keep themselves in the contest. India kept possession in the final few minutes to prevent Australia ‘A’ from creating an attacking opportunity and won the thrilling encounter 2-1.

ALSO READ: ‘I am not Bumrah’s replacement’

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Australia Diaspora India News

Australian Sikh diaspora unites under the banner of Indian Identity

Mr. Singh also noted that this visit was a sign of an exciting shift in Australia-India relations..reports Asian Lite News

Australian citiescame alive with excitement and optimism as Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India embarked on his latest visit to Australia. A particular group that extended a warm welcome was the Sikh diaspora, displaying unity, pride, and an overarching sentiment: “We are Indians and we all come under one banner“

Among the prominent figures leading the welcoming party was Gurnam Singh, founder of the Australian-Indian Sports Educational & Cultural Society. Singh, representing the sentiments of many in the Sikh community, stressed their Indian identity and the rejection of divisive elements. “We love Modi and reject disruptive Khalistani elements of US & Canada,” he proclaimed, aligning the Sikh community in Australia firmly with their homeland.

Mr. Singh also noted that this visit was a sign of an exciting shift in Australia-India relations. “The relationship between India and Australia has never gone beyond cricket until now. But now with the free trade agreement, it has brought a little more attention to India,” he said. Singh’s remarks echo the sentiments of many who believe the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) could lead to a flourishing partnership between the two nations, a sentiment buoyed by the PM’s visit.

As a substantial section of the Indian diaspora in Australia, the Sikh community has been instrumental in bridging cultural gaps and fostering bilateral relations. Their enthusiastic reception of PM Modi was a powerful display of their pride in their Indian heritage, and their willingness to play a proactive role in the strengthening of Australia-India relations.

Singh’s belief that PM Modi’s visit gave life to the FTA underpins the significance of such diplomatic trips. He suggested that Modi’s presence in Australia made the “trade agreement actually become alive,” demonstrating that international diplomacy and direct engagement can catalyze policy into action.

Sydney: Prime Minister Narendra Modi being received upon his arrival, in Sydney, on Monday, May 22, 2023, after his visit to Papua New Guinea and Hiroshima. (Photo:IANS/Twitter)

The reception also underscored the Sikh community’s distancing from Khalistani elements — separatists seeking an independent Sikh homeland named Khalistan, primarily present in the US and Canada. The Sikh diaspora’s reception, instead, showed an overarching sentiment of unity under the banner of their Indian identity.

This show of unity and rejection of divisive sentiments are particularly noteworthy given the geopolitical context. PM Modi’s visit to Australia signifies a potential turning point in their relationship, shifting the focus from shared interests in cricket to a more comprehensive, strategic, and economic partnership.

The event made one thing clear: the Indian diaspora, and particularly the Sikh community in Australia, looks forward to a future where the bond between Australia and India transcends cricket, venturing into realms of deeper economic, educational, and cultural integration.

ALSO READ-Indian diaspora in Australia excited to welcome Modi

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-Top News Australia India News

India, Australia to ink trade deal by 2023-end

Last year, India and Australia finalised the Economic Cooperation Trade Agreement (ECTA) and it came into force in December last…reports Asian Lite News

India and Australia on Wednesday inked a migration and mobility partnership pact to open up opportunities for students, academic researchers and business people and resolved to conclude a comprehensive trade deal by the end of the year to significantly expand economic ties.

The pact was signed after wide-ranging talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese.

In his media statement, Albanese said the aim is to conclude the comprehensive economic cooperation agreement (CECA) by the end of the year.

“We reiterated our shared ambition for an early conclusion of the Australia-India comprehensive economic cooperation agreement later this year,” he said in the presence of Modi.

Last year, India and Australia finalised the Economic Cooperation Trade Agreement (ECTA) and it came into force in December last. The two sides are now working on the CECA.

“Today, in my meeting with Prime Minister Albanese, we talked about taking India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership to greater heights in the next decade,” Modi said.

“We discussed in detail the possibilities of cooperation in new areas. Last year India-Australia ECTA came into effect. Today we have decided to focus on CECA — Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement,” he said.

Modi said the pact will give further strength and new dimensions to trade and economic cooperation between the two countries.

“We had constructive discussions on strengthening our strategic cooperation in the sectors of mining and critical minerals. We have identified concrete areas for cooperation in renewable energy,” Modi said.

“It was decided to set up a task force on Green Hydrogen,” he added.

Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra said the next two rounds of talks on the economic partnership pact have been scheduled for June and July.

Modi and Albanese also witnessed the signing of the terms of reference of the Australia-India Green Hydrogen Taskforce which will explore opportunities in the area of renewable hydrogen.

“Renewable energy was once again a focus and an important topic in our discussions,” Albanese said.

On the migration and mobility pact, Albanese said it will promote the exchange of students, graduates, researchers and business people; expand our people-to-people ties and enhance cooperation in “preventing people smuggling”.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said Modi and Albanese welcomed the signing of the Migration and Mobility Partnership Arrangement (MMPA).

It said the MMPA will further facilitate the mobility of students, professionals, researchers, academics and others, including through a new skilled pathway named MATES (Mobility Arrangement for Talented Early Professionals Scheme) specifically created for India.

It said they also welcomed the finalisation of terms of reference for the India-Australia Hydrogen taskforce. The task force will advise on opportunities to accelerate the manufacture and deployment of clean hydrogen, focusing on hydrogen electrolysers, and fuel cells as well as supporting infrastructure and standards and regulations.

In his remarks, Modi also highlighted the importance of India-Australia relations for the region. “The scope of India-Australia relations is not limited to merely our two countries. It is also linked to regional stability, peace and global welfare,” he said.

“A few days ago, along with Prime Minister Albanese, at the Quad Summit in Hiroshima, we also discussed the Indo-Pacific. India-Australia cooperation can also be beneficial for the progress of the Global South,” Modi said.

He said the Indian tradition of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, which sees the whole world as one family, is the central theme of India’s G-20 Presidency.” The prime minister described his meeting with Albanese as “constructive”.

‘Today world wants to know what India is thinking’

Concluding his three-nation visit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday morning arrived in Delhi and said, today the world wants to know what India is thinking.

While addressing the public gathered to welcome him, PM Modi said, “The people here asked me why I gave the vaccines to the world. I want to say that this is the land of Buddha, Gandhi. We care even for our enemies… Today the world wants to know what India is thinking.” “When I talk about the culture of my country, I look into the eyes of the world. This confidence has come because you have formed a government with an absolute majority in the country. Those who have come here are people who love India, not PM Modi,” he said.

PM Modi further talked about the release of the Tok Pisin translation of the book ‘Thirukkural’ in Papua New Guinea and said, “Tamil language is our language. It is the language of every Indian. It is the oldest language in the world. I had the opportunity to release the Tok Pisin translation of the book ‘Thirukkural’ in Papua New Guinea.”

Earlier in the morning, PM Modi arrived at Palam airport in Delhi after concluding his three-nation visit to Japan, Papua New Guinea and Australia.

Prime Minister Modi was garlanded by BJP National President JP Nadda and party members on his arrival at the airport.

ALSO READ-Biden invites PMs of Australia, Papua New Guinea

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-Top News USA World News

Biden invites PMs of Australia, Papua New Guinea

The announcement comes days after Biden cancelled the second planned leg of his Asia trip to Australia and Papua New Guinea amid the debt ceiling standoff in Washington …reports Asian Lite News

US President Joe Biden invited Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape on Wednesday for an upcoming meeting, according to National Security Council Director for the Indo-Pacific.

Dr Mira Rapp-Hooper said that Biden invited Albanese to visit the US this fall.

“Prime Minister Albanese graciously accepted on the spot and the two leaders discussed the upcoming engagement when they saw each other in Hiroshima, and our teams are already starting the planning efforts for that visit,” said Hooper.

Speaking about Marape, she said that Biden has invited him to the US for the second Pacific Summit in Washington.

“Likewise, when the President spoke with Prime Minister Marape and let him know of his need to cancel his stop in Papua New Guinea, he (Biden) made clear that he intended to invite Pacific Island leaders to the United States for the second Pacific Summit in Washington,” said Hooper.

The announcement comes days after Biden cancelled the second planned leg of his Asia trip to Australia and Papua New Guinea amid the debt ceiling standoff in Washington and the pressing need to reach a deal to avert a catastrophic US default.

Speaking on the trip cancellation, Hopper said, “Needless to say, you know, it was not necessarily planned at all, to have to reschedule the President’s trips to Australia and Papua New Guinea. Although of course, they didn’t. This the circumstances are clear what the president did in the immediate aftermath of realizing that he would have to return home to deal with the economic situation posed by the debt ceiling was immediately reached out to his counterparts in both Papua New Guinea and Australia.”

Hopper said that while rescheduling Biden’s trips is pending, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea James Marape will have “close contact in the very immediate term.”

“I can say with great confidence that both of those engagements are already being scheduled. And while certainly, the President (Biden) looks forward to returning to both Australia and Papua New Guinea are very near-term focus will be on making sure that he is able to have deep and substantive engagements with all of the leaders who he intended to see this past week and then all the work we have ongoing with both sets of partners is carried forward,” said Dr Mira Rapp-Hooper.

President Biden hosted the first-ever US-Pacific Island Country Summit in Washington, on September 28-29, 2022 which demonstrated the US’s deep and enduring partnership with Pacific Island countries and the Pacific region that is underpinned by shared history, values, and people-to-people ties.

That was the first-ever Summit hosted by the Biden administration amid the US’ increased focus on countering China’s global influence in the Indo-Pacific region.

She also said that US Secretary of State Antony Blinken travelled to Papua New Guinea, just a couple of days ago and carried with him a letter that was signed by the President formally inviting the leaders of Pacific Island nations to come to Washington for a return Summit.

During his visit, Blinken and Marape signed the pact and a maritime security agreement on Monday during Blinken’s visit to the capital Port Moresby.

Washington and its allies seek to deter Pacific island nations from forming security ties with China, a rising concern amid tensions over Taiwan, which Beijing considers its territory. China has said that any attempt by the self-governed island to secede will trigger military action. (ANI)

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-Top News Australia

More Australian Universities ban Indian students amid Modi’s visit

Indian, Australian flag.

Last month, Australian universities, including Victoria University, Edith Cowan University, Torrens University, and Southern Cross University had placed a ban or restriction on students from some Indian states…reports Asian Lite News

Two more Australian universities have banned the recruitment of students from some Indian states in response to fresh concerns over a surge in fraudulent visa applications, a media report said.

The Federation University in Victoria and Western Sydney University in New South Wales wrote to education agents last week instructing them to no longer recruit students from Punjab, Haryana, Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh, as well as the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir, The Sydney Morning Herald reported.

The development comes even as visiting Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke of more “Australian and Indian students living and studying in each other’s countries, and bringing those experiences home”.

Also, the two nations signed the migration and mobility partnership arrangement today to promote exchange of students, graduates, researchers and business people.

“The university has observed a significant increase in the proportion of visa applications being refused from some Indian regions by the Department of Home Affairs,” the Federation University’s letter to agents said.

“We hoped this would prove to be a short-term issue (but) it is now clear there is a trend emerging,” the letter, published in The Herald, read.

Last month, Australian universities, including Victoria University, Edith Cowan University, Torrens University, and Southern Cross University had placed a ban or restriction on students from some Indian states in response to a surge in fraudulent applications seeking to work, and not study, in the country.

“A large number of Indian students who commenced study in 2022 intakes have not remained enrolled, resulting in a significantly high attrition rate,” the Western Sydney University told agents in a message sent on May 8.

The university identified Punjab, Gujarat and Haryana as regions presenting the highest attrition risk.

“Due to the urgency of this matter, the university has decided to pause recruitment from these regions in India, effective immediately,” the university message said, adding that recruitment from all other regions in India will continue as usual.

The Western Sydney University said the ban would be in place for at least two months — May and June 2023.

It further said that additional measures would be taken “to address the issue of non-genuine students enrolling with the university from these regions, including changes to application screening, stricter admissions conditions and increases to commencement fees”.

One in four applications from India are now being deemed as “fraudulent” or “non-genuine” by the Department of Home Affairs, the report said.

Australia is reportedly set to enrol the highest number of Indian students ever, surpassing the previous high of 75,000 in 2019.

The Department of Home Affairs told a federal parliamentary inquiry last week that the rejection rate for applications from India is 24.3 per cent — highest since 2012.

ALSO READ: India-Australia ties based on mutual trust, says Modi

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-Top News Australia India News

PM Modi rakes up attacks on temples, Albanese vows actions

In March this year, Shree Laxmi Narayan Temple in Australia’s Brisbane was vandalised by pro-Khalistan supporters….reports Asian Lite News

Prime Minister Narendra Modi who is on a three-day visit to Australia, on Wednesday raised the issue of attacks on temples in the country and said that Prime Minister Anthony Albanese had assured to take “strict actions against such elements in the future.”

During a joint address with his Australian counterpart Albanese, PM Modi said, “PM Anthony Albanese and I have in the past discussed the issue of attack on temples in Australia and activities of separatist elements. We discussed the matter today also. We will not accept any elements that harm the friendly and warm ties between the India-Australia relationship by their action or thoughts. PM Albanese assured me once again today that he will take strict actions against such elements in the future also.
Notably, several cases of Khalistani extremism and brawls between Khalistani activists and pro-India demonstrators have recently come to the fore in several parts of Australia. Indian flags were burnt and even a Hindu temple was vandalised recently in Australia.

Earlier, Albanese during his India visit in March had said that Australia won’t tolerate any extreme actions and attacks that took place in religious buildings, and there is no place for such action against Hindu temples.

Responding to a media query about the assurances that the Australian PM gave to his Indian counterpart, Albanese said, “I gave him the assurance that Australia is a country that respects people’s faith. That we don’t tolerate the sort of extreme actions and attacks that we have seen on religious buildings, be they Hindu temples, mosques, synagogues, or churches. This has no place in Australia.”

“And we will take every action through our police and also our security agencies to make sure that anyone responsible for this faces the full force of the law. We’re a tolerant multicultural nation, and there is no place in Australia for this activity,” the statement quoted him saying.

Earlier in March, addressing India-Australia: Exchange of Agreements and Press Statements, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the Australian PM, in light of the recent attacks on temples in Australia had assured that the safety and well-being of the Indian community in Australia is a priority for him.

“Since the last few weeks, news of attacks on temples in Australia are coming regularly. It is natural that such news worries people in India. I have raised these concerns with Prime Minister Albanese who has assured me that the safety of the Indian community is a special priority for him,” PM Modi said.

In March this year, Shree Laxmi Narayan Temple in Australia’s Brisbane was vandalised by pro-Khalistan supporters.

Sarah Gates, who is the Director of Hindu Human Rights said, “This latest hate crime is a pattern of Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) globally, clearly attempting to terrorise Australian Hindus. Coupled with a barrage of propaganda, illegal signs, and cyberbullying, the organisation intends to present all-pervasive threats, fear, and intimidation,” reported The Australia Today.

On January 16, Shri Shiva Vishnu Temple in Australia’s Carrum Downs was vandalised with anti-Hindu graffiti.

On January 12, the BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir in Australia’s Mill Park was smeared with anti-India and anti-Hindu graffiti.

The temple was vandalised by anti-India elements with anti-India slogans written on the temple’s walls, located in the suburb of Mill Park, The Australia Today reported. (ANI)

ALSO READ: Modi thanks Albanese for ‘Little India’

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-Top News Australia India News

India-Australia ties based on mutual trust, says Modi

Sydney, May 23 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Australian PM Anthony Albanese during an Indian community event, in Sydney on Tuesday. (ANI Photo)

Modi credits Indian diaspora in Australia as being a force behind mutual respect and trust between the two countries…reports Asian Lite News

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his key address to the Indian diaspora at a community event during his Sydney visit, highlighted “mutual trust and respect” are the foundation of the close historical ties between India and Australia.

Noting that bilateral ties between India and Australia were earlier seen to be defined by 3Cs- Commonwealth, cricket and curry- and then by ‘democracy, diaspora and dosti’ and later ‘energy, economy and education’ emerged as a key component, Modi said that he believes the relationship is “beyond this” and “it is mutual trust and mutual respect”. Addressing a community event in Sydney on the second day of his visit to Australia, Modi credited the Indian diaspora in Australia as being a force behind mutual respect and trust between the two countries.

“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 to a packed arena at Sydney Olympic Park.

Modi held meetings with business leaders of top Australian companies in Sydney on Tuesday, During the meetings, he called for enhancing cooperation with the Indian industry in areas such as technology, skilling, and clean energy.

Modi will have bilateral talks with Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese on Wednesday. At their bilateral meeting, the leaders will discuss trade and investment, including efforts to boost trade between the two countries through a Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement and work to strengthen people-to-people links, renewable energy, and defence and security cooperation, said the official statement released by the Australian government.Australia is the 13th largest trading partner in 2022-23.

Among those who had gathered to greet Modi included 91-year-old Dr Navamani Chandra Bose who journeyed from Melbourne to meet the Indian prime minister in Sydney, according to The Australia Today.

She was full of energy and passion and very happy to travel by “Modi Airways.” “Very happy today and it’s going to be a great event,” said the nonagenarian who arrived by the ‘Modi Airways,’ a specially chartered flight that took off from Melbourne Tullamarine Airport.

Modi kick-started his day-2 of Australia visit on Tuesday with a meeting with the Executive Chairman of Fortescue Future Industries, an Australia-based Green energy and technology firm.

John Andrew Henry Forrest AO, nicknamed Twiggy, is an Australian businessman. He is best known as the former CEO (and current non-executive chairman) of Fortescue Metals Group (FMG) and has other interests in the mining industry and in cattle stations.

According to the Financial Review, Forrest was the richest person in Australia in 2008. The Prime Minister also met Paul Schroder, CEO of Australian Super, in Sydney.

He was appointed Chief Executive of Australian Super on October 1, 2021, and is responsible for the leadership and strategic development of the fund as well as the provision of advice to the board.

In his second meeting, Modi interacted with Gina Rinehart, Executive Chairman of Hancock Prospecting.

Georgina Hope Rinehart AO was born on 9 February 1954, is an Australian billionaire mining magnate and businesswoman. Rinehart is the Executive Chairman of Hancock Prospecting, a privately owned mineral exploration and extraction company founded by her father, Lang Hancock.

“Fostering India-Australia collaboration in the mining and minerals sector. PM Narendra Modi held a meeting with Georgina Hope Rinehart, Executive Chairman of Hancock Prospecting Group, Roy Hill and S. Kidman & Co, in Sydney,” Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi tweeted.

Modi also met other Chief Executive Officers in Sydney.  Modi also met celebrity chef and restaurateur Sarah Todd. Sarah Todd took to Instagram handle and dropped pictures with PM Modi from the meeting.

Sharing the pictures, she wrote, “An incredible honour to be invited personally to meet one on one with the visionary leader, Prime Minister of India, His Excellency Shri Narendra Modi today in recognition of my work and achievements.”

Later in the day, Modi and Australian PM Albanese reached Sydney’s Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney Olympic Park to address the Indian diaspora, a gathering of up to 20,000 people, at a community event.

He was greeted at Sydney’s Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney Olympic Park with Vedic chanting and other traditional types of welcome. After a traditional welcome, PM Modi and Albanese greeted each other with a warm hug and walked into Sydney’s biggest stadium to reverberating cheers. He was also welcomed in India traditions. Priests were present at the event and chanted prayers.

A cultural program was held at the Qudos Bank Arena. Various cultural performances were performed by various artists, Bharatnatyam, Garba and other dance forms were performed at the event.  (ANI)

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