Rockstar Modi rocks on...
The world had not yet recovered from the rockshow that unfolded at Maddison square gardens in New York when Modi delivered his encore perfoemance at the Allphones Stadium at Sydney. Addressing thousands that filled the stadium to capacity while many thousands waited outside watching him on big screens, Modi stated that he was not deserving of the affection and welcome he had received, instead it was the 125 crore Indians that deserved it. The address had all the ingredients of a sellout Modi performance. Starting his speech in English and acknowledging the indigenous Australian peoples, Modi switched to Hindi amidst chants of “Modi-Modi” and “Bharat Mata Ki Jai”.
Typical of his style, Modi communicated with the people, in simple heart warming words, playing on their heart strings, invoking patriotism and pride for their home country. He praised the Indian diaspora for their contributions to Australia and drew out the long standing ties between the two countries, including our love for Cricket. He talked about cricket and the "cultural history that linked" India and Australia. It was then that Modi delivered his mastr stroke, stating that "You can take off from India at night and reach Australia the next morning. But it took 28 years for an Indian PM to reach Australia. I promise you will never need to wait that long again."
This assurance by the Prime Minister comes amidst the environment of fostering strong relationships with Australia. When the leaders of the two countries met, outside the rubric of G-20, trade was top of the list. Australia continues to be a major exporter of coal, gold, copper ores and concentrates, vegetables, services to India and importer of passenger motor vehicles, medicaments, pearls, gems and jewellery. There is also enormous scope beyond coal and uranium in the energy sector, and Australia can tap into the India’s renewable energy efforts which suffer from various impediments.
Australia’s Direct Aid Programme (DAP) continues to fund small-scale sustainable development projects in several states and union territories, especially in vocational training for youth; solar power and end-user training and electrification of hundreds of households; construction of diversion based irrigation to create permanent irrigation facilities; women’s economic empowerment; access to education for women and girls; and capacity development for people with disabilities. These initiatives also complement Modi’s vision for inclusive development and better governance.
Prime Minister Abbot while generously praising Modi and welcoming him to address the Australian Parliament, where Modi became the first Indian Prime Minister to do so, stated We can never forget that India is an intellectual powerhouse and potential economic powerhouse. Science, medical research are strengths of India.
Abbott also stated Trade means jobs, trade means prosperity, we both need more jobs and prosperity and that is what this particular visit is all about. India and Australia seek early conclusion of negotiations for a comprehensive economic partnership agreement.
Modi delivered his message of Make in India clearly stating thet the economic climate in India has changed and that it was a lot easier to convert opportunities into concrete outcomes. India and Australia have signed pacts on social security, transfer of sentenced prisoners, combating narcotics trade, tourism, and Arts.PM Modi also sought an early closure of India-Australia nuclear deal to facilitate the import of Uranium. India and Australia have also established a framework for bilateral security cooperation as they stepped up their defence collaboration for advancing regional peace and combating terrorism among other challenges. Mr. Modi, while addressing the Parliament, also called for collaboration in the field of maritime security. During the joint statement after the signing of the agreements, PM Modi said, "This is a natural partnership. Huge opportunities of partnership in every area we can think of."
How this relationship develops further and grows needs to be seen, however at this juncture one cannot but wonder why New Zealand failed to rise to the opportunity of furthering its ties with the world’s largest democracy. For years it has been toying with a trade agreement with India, which has not taken any concrete shape or form. While its neighbor across the ditch has made most of the emerging and one of the fastest growing economies in the world, it seems for now, New Zealand will remain a silent spectator as Modi makes his way to Fiji, from where he will travel on to Myanmar.
So while the political top guns in India and Australia rejoice at a successful G20, for Joe Public of Indian origin it has been a total “paisa wasool” performance of travelling in the Modi Express and listening and watching Modi deliver his rockstar strokes.
The world had not yet recovered from the rockshow that unfolded at Maddison square gardens in New York when Modi delivered his encore perfoemance at the Allphones Stadium at Sydney. Addressing thousands that filled the stadium to capacity while many thousands waited outside watching him on big...
The world had not yet recovered from the rockshow that unfolded at Maddison square gardens in New York when Modi delivered his encore perfoemance at the Allphones Stadium at Sydney. Addressing thousands that filled the stadium to capacity while many thousands waited outside watching him on big screens, Modi stated that he was not deserving of the affection and welcome he had received, instead it was the 125 crore Indians that deserved it. The address had all the ingredients of a sellout Modi performance. Starting his speech in English and acknowledging the indigenous Australian peoples, Modi switched to Hindi amidst chants of “Modi-Modi” and “Bharat Mata Ki Jai”.
Typical of his style, Modi communicated with the people, in simple heart warming words, playing on their heart strings, invoking patriotism and pride for their home country. He praised the Indian diaspora for their contributions to Australia and drew out the long standing ties between the two countries, including our love for Cricket. He talked about cricket and the "cultural history that linked" India and Australia. It was then that Modi delivered his mastr stroke, stating that "You can take off from India at night and reach Australia the next morning. But it took 28 years for an Indian PM to reach Australia. I promise you will never need to wait that long again."
This assurance by the Prime Minister comes amidst the environment of fostering strong relationships with Australia. When the leaders of the two countries met, outside the rubric of G-20, trade was top of the list. Australia continues to be a major exporter of coal, gold, copper ores and concentrates, vegetables, services to India and importer of passenger motor vehicles, medicaments, pearls, gems and jewellery. There is also enormous scope beyond coal and uranium in the energy sector, and Australia can tap into the India’s renewable energy efforts which suffer from various impediments.
Australia’s Direct Aid Programme (DAP) continues to fund small-scale sustainable development projects in several states and union territories, especially in vocational training for youth; solar power and end-user training and electrification of hundreds of households; construction of diversion based irrigation to create permanent irrigation facilities; women’s economic empowerment; access to education for women and girls; and capacity development for people with disabilities. These initiatives also complement Modi’s vision for inclusive development and better governance.
Prime Minister Abbot while generously praising Modi and welcoming him to address the Australian Parliament, where Modi became the first Indian Prime Minister to do so, stated We can never forget that India is an intellectual powerhouse and potential economic powerhouse. Science, medical research are strengths of India.
Abbott also stated Trade means jobs, trade means prosperity, we both need more jobs and prosperity and that is what this particular visit is all about. India and Australia seek early conclusion of negotiations for a comprehensive economic partnership agreement.
Modi delivered his message of Make in India clearly stating thet the economic climate in India has changed and that it was a lot easier to convert opportunities into concrete outcomes. India and Australia have signed pacts on social security, transfer of sentenced prisoners, combating narcotics trade, tourism, and Arts.PM Modi also sought an early closure of India-Australia nuclear deal to facilitate the import of Uranium. India and Australia have also established a framework for bilateral security cooperation as they stepped up their defence collaboration for advancing regional peace and combating terrorism among other challenges. Mr. Modi, while addressing the Parliament, also called for collaboration in the field of maritime security. During the joint statement after the signing of the agreements, PM Modi said, "This is a natural partnership. Huge opportunities of partnership in every area we can think of."
How this relationship develops further and grows needs to be seen, however at this juncture one cannot but wonder why New Zealand failed to rise to the opportunity of furthering its ties with the world’s largest democracy. For years it has been toying with a trade agreement with India, which has not taken any concrete shape or form. While its neighbor across the ditch has made most of the emerging and one of the fastest growing economies in the world, it seems for now, New Zealand will remain a silent spectator as Modi makes his way to Fiji, from where he will travel on to Myanmar.
So while the political top guns in India and Australia rejoice at a successful G20, for Joe Public of Indian origin it has been a total “paisa wasool” performance of travelling in the Modi Express and listening and watching Modi deliver his rockstar strokes.
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