Modi Express in Sydney: India-Australia ties move beyond cricket and curry

The buzz about the Modi visit in Sydney is getting louder as Indian-Australians book charter buses and a ‘Modi Airways’ plane to soak in this people’s carnival.

- MANISH CHAND

The splash of Holi colours in India will still be fresh in Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s memory as he prepares to host his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi in Sydney, home to a vibrant Indian diaspora.

More than two months ago, Mr Albanese was in India, playing Holi, and interacting with students at IIT Delhi. Weeks later, Mr Modi will be in Sydney, pushing the envelope for this multi-faceted partnership which has undergone dramatic transformation in the last decade.

Prime Minister Modi’s decision to continue with his visit to Australia after Canberra’s last-minute cancellation of the Quad summit in Sydney showcases his deep personal commitment to take the India-Australia partnership to the next level. US President Joe Biden had made his choice—he can’t allow America’s image to be sullied due to a debt default by the world’s largest economy, all because of a Quad summit. PM Modi, on his part, has also made his choice. By continuing with his outreach to Papua New Guinea and Australia with a bilateral visit, PM Modi has signalled a new “Look Pacific” policy against the backdrop of China’s growing preponderance in the strategically located region. With the Quad summit now shifted to Hiroshima, IndiaAustralia relations will now be centerstage in one of the world’s most livable cities.

WHY MODI’S VISIT MATTERS