@Evening: 💪 PM Modi In Australia — From Being Called "The Boss" To Renaming Areas To Deepening Ties

🎸 Rockstar reception and comparison

Narendra Modi drew high praise and an enviable comparison from his Aussie counterpart today in Sydney.

Context: The Indian Prime Minister is currently visiting Australia as a guest of the Aussie government.

• At a grand community event for the Indian diaspora, Australian PM Anthony Albanese said, "Prime Minister Modi is The Boss."

• Albanese likened Modi's popularity to that of legendary rockstar Bruce Springsteen, affectionately called "The Boss" by his fans.

• According to him, Modi received a warmer welcome from the crowd at Qudos Bank Arena than Springsteen did last time on this very stage.

• His remarks elicited a grin from PM Modi as well as cheers and applause from the 21,000-strong audience.

PM's special address. Modi reflected on the various aspects that have defined the India-Australia relationship over the years.

• He highlighted the shared values of democracy, diaspora, and dosti (friendship), as well as the importance of energy, economy, and education.

• He touched upon the unifying aspects of tennis, films, Diwali, snacks, and even MasterChef between India and Australia.

• But he stressed that, above all, it was mutual trust and respect that formed the strongest link between the two nations.

• He credited this bond to the Indian community living in Australia.

Indian diaspora in Australia. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics 2016 census, 619,164 people in Australia declared that they were of ethnic Indian ancestry.

• This makes up 2.8 per cent of the Australian population.

• Among them, 592,000 were born in India.

• According to Albanese, the Indian diaspora has made a significant contribution to the betterment of Australia.

• Parramatta has the fastest-growing population of the Indian diaspora.

• Sameer Pandey is the first Indian-origin Lord Mayor of Australia's Parramatta City Council.

'Little India' in Australia & more. PMs Modi and Albanese officially named the Harris Park area in Parramatta as 'Little India'.

• India's PM joined his Australian counterpart for the foundation-stone-laying ceremony of the 'Little India' Gateway in Harris Park, Sydney.

• PM Modi expressed gratitude for the "special honour" and asked the Aussie Indian community to take Albanese to taste Indian chaat and sweets.

• The Indian PM also announced the opening of a new Indian consulate in Brisbane.

• Plus, he revealed an agreement on the Migration and Mobility partnership, facilitating the movement of skilled professionals.

• The programme will make it easier for Indians to come and work in Australia.

• Earlier in the day, PM Modi met with Aussie business leaders to discuss collaboration with the Indian industry on technology, skill development, and clean energy.