India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi praises ‘big hearted’ Australians in speech to sold-out Western Sydney stadium crowd

Thousands of Indian-Australians have gathered at Qudos Bank Arena in Western Sydney to welcome Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Members of the Australian Indian community await the arrival of Prime Minister Modi at Qudos Bank Arena. Picture: Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images

Thousands of cheering fans gave India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi a rock star welcome to Australia, as Anthony Albanese unveiled plans for a new centre to strengthen relations between the two countries.

Standing before a 20,000 strong crowd of Indian Australians gathered at Qudos Bank Arena in Western Sydney, the Prime Minister revealed Parramatta would be the site of the new Centre for India-Australia Relations.

With an advisory board made up of business, education, diplomatic, sport and cultural leaders, including cricketing legend Adam Gilchrist and Universities Australia chief Catriona Jackson, the centre aims to increase connections between the nations.

Flags waving, faces painted and homemade signs in hand, thousands of people gathered at the stadium in Sydney’s Olympic Park precinct early in anticipation of catching a glimpse of Mr Modi on Tuesday night.

They chanted “Modi,” “India” and “Aussie, Aussie, Aussie, Oi, Oi, Oi” as they waited and cheers erupted as when the popular leader finally stepped up to the podium.

Anthony Albanese with Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Swift

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Anthony Albanese at Harris Park. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Swift

Mr Modi said two countries’ relationship went far beyond cricket, curry or a love of yoga, praising the “large hearted” Australians for accepting Indians, including their language, culture and customs, into society.

“The single biggest basis of all of these relations ... is mutual trust and mutual respect,” he told the crowd.

“This mutual trust and mutual respect have not developed only due to India-Australia diplomatic relations, the real reason ... is you, each and every Indian who lives in Australia.”

An Indian cultural and community event at Sydney Olympic Park welcomed the Indian Prime Minister Modi to Australia. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Swift

Guy Sebastian meeting with Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi. Picture: Instagram

Mr Modi said he was “grateful” for the opportunity to be present for the laying of a foundational plaque in Harris Park, Western Sydney, which is being officially renamed “Little India”.

“This ‘Little India’ is also a recognition of the contribution of the Indian community in the development of Australia,” he said.

Mr Albanese said he believed Mr Modi had received a bigger rockstar welcome than music legend Bruce Springsteen the last time he visited Sydney.

“I get to speak to some pretty big crowds as Prime Minister, but I have to say, the warmth and the energy here tonight is second to none,” he said.

Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Swift

Indian diplomats greet India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi as he arrives at the Sydney international airport to begin his three-day official visit to Australia. Picture: David Gray/AFP

Mr Albanese said the new Centre would be a “testament to the vitality of the Indian-Australian experience”.

“We want to see more connections, more Australian and Indian students living and studying in each other’s countries, and bringing those experiences home,” he said.

“More business leaders and artists and families sharing your experiences and your knowledge and your ideas.”

Mr Albanese and Mr Modi also unveiled a plaque for the foundation stone of the “Little India” gateway in Harris Park, Western Sydney.

Anthony Albanese and Modi hug. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Swift

Dozens of politicians and community leaders attended the event, which began with garba performances — a traditional dance form originating from the Prime Minister’s state of Gujarat.

Opposition leader Peter Dutton, Foreign Minister Penny Wong, NSW Premier Chris Minns and former prime minister Scott Morrison were among the senior politicians in attendance at the event.

Ahead of the stadium event Mr Modi met with Australian celebrities, including singer Guy Sebastian, who described the Indian leader as “incredibly humble, warm and generous with his time”.

“I was humbled to be able to discuss many things, including my mother’s Indian heritage, how proud I am of my own Indian heritage, as well as the arts and my music,” Sebastian said in an Instagram post.

Artists perform cultural dance at an event to welcome India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Qudos Arena in Sydney on May 23, 2023. Picture: David Gray/Pool

NSW Treasurer Daniel Mookhey, who is of Indian heritage, was among the politicians who welcomed Mr Modi when he landed in Sydney. “Welcoming the Indian Prime Minister to Sydney in Hindi on behalf of the people of NSW was the honour of a lifetime. He was full of energy, especially after a long flight,” he said.

NSW Opposition leader Mark Speakman, health spokesman Matt Kean and former multicultural minister Mark Coure and Labor Liverpool MP Charishma Kaliyanda were also spotted in the crowd.

Mr Modi’s visit has not been welcomed by all members of the Australian Indian diaspora, with his imminent arrival sparking an uptick in sectarian activity.

A sold-out screening of a BBC documentary exploring Mr Modi’s role in the 2002 Gujarat riots and the persecution of Muslims in his country, which has been banned in India, will be held at Parliament House in Canberra on Wednesday.