Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday night lauded the "Indianness" of a crowd of approximately 30,000, largely from the Indian diaspora, gathered at Melbourne's Marvel Stadium. The event, dubbed 'Melbourne Meets Modi,' took place as India and Australia finalized a significant agreement to resume uranium shipments from Australia to India.
"The Indianness within you has always endured and been kept alive," Modi told the enthusiastic attendees. He spoke of the vibrant spirit of India being present in community markets across Melbourne and Australia, comparing it to adding sweetness to milk. "We Indians are like that - just as when sugar is added to milk, it makes the milk much sweeter," he said. "The milk is bought from Australia, however the tea is made the Indian way."
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was also present, referring to Modi as "a very dear friend." Albanese highlighted that roughly one million Australians have roots tracing back to India, stating that "Australians of all backgrounds have been enriched by you bringing your culture here and adding it to our multicultural character." He shared his personal connection to India, recounting a backpacking trip in 1991 where he experienced the warmth of its people and learned the value of understanding India by "get[ting] on a train."
Ranjai Raghu, who moved to Australia from India two decades ago, likened the stadium's atmosphere to a cricket match. She noted that opinions among the diaspora regarding Modi's leadership were largely positive, citing "a very big change in India and India's relationships with other countries during his term" and expressing support for such cooperation.
Uranium Deal and Future Engagements
The agreement to restart uranium shipments marks an end to more than a decade of delays in regular fuel deliveries. Tania Constable, chief executive of the Minerals Council of Australia, described the deal as a "immense opportunity," noting that meeting even half of India's projected demand for nuclear expansion could double Australia's current uranium export volumes.
Earlier in the visit, Modi and Albanese signed a series of other agreements. Modi is scheduled to depart Australia on Friday after a visit to the Melbourne Cricket Ground, where he and Albanese are expected to meet with leaders from Cricket Australia and the AFL.
Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan, who opened the evening's event, stated that Victoria is home to more people of Indian descent than any other place globally. "Victoria respects India, we value your people," Allan said. "We welcome your students, your businesses, your families, your ideas. In Victoria the Indian community is not just accepted, [it is] part of who we are."
