PM Modi in Melbourne: India Targets Top Three Global Economies with Grow More Mantra

Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered a powerful address to the Indian community in Melbourne, Australia, where he articulated India's ambitious goal of becoming one of the world's top three economies in the near future. ' He was joined on stage by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, marking a significant moment in the bilateral relationship between the two nations.

A Vision for 21st Century India

Addressing the thousands of Indian diaspora members who had gathered from across Australia, PM Modi emphasized that 21st-century India is working relentlessly toward the goal of becoming a developed nation. He noted that in today's India, as soon as one dream is fulfilled, a new one takes birth. Representing a nation of 140 crore Indians, he highlighted that India is currently the fastest-growing major economy in the world. He reiterated that the core philosophy driving this progress is to constantly expand horizons and achieve greater milestones.

Strengthening Australia-India Ties

Reflecting on his relationship with Australia, PM Modi mentioned that he had previously met the community in Sydney twice, but he had been eagerly waiting to meet the people of Melbourne. He remarked that Melbourne had 'won the field' with its enthusiastic reception. Recalling his visit in 2014, he pointed out that it had taken 28 years for an Indian Prime Minister to visit Australia at that time. He had promised then that the community wouldn't have to wait another 28 years, a promise he has kept by visiting three times in the last 12 years. He described this 'hattrick' of visits as a testament to the unprecedented heights the India-Australia relationship has reached.

Cultural Vibrancy and the Indian Diaspora

The Prime Minister praised the Indian community for making Melbourne even more vibrant with their cultural colors. He noted that while Melbourne is known for experiencing four seasons in a single day, the Indian diaspora has added a permanent layer of diversity to it. He mentioned that many areas and markets in and around Melbourne are now steeped in Indian culture. PM Modi observed that even though many Indians moved to Australia generations ago, their 'Indianness' remains alive. He humorously noted that many households operate in two time zones—following Australian time for school and work, but maintaining Indian traditions at home, while he remarked that while the vegetables and lentils might be Australian, the 'tadka' remains authentically Indian. He also touched upon modern trends like 'Bhajan Clubbing' among the Gen Z population and the upcoming Indian Film Festival in Melbourne as symbols of this cultural bridge.

Infrastructure and Technological Milestones

Highlighting India's domestic progress, PM Modi shared several key achievements:

• India has become the world's second-largest 5G market and is already working on indigenous 6G technology.
• The metro network has reached two dozen cities in the last 12 years, with over 1.25 crore people traveling by metro daily.
• India now possesses the world's third-largest metro network, yet the nation remains unsatisfied, pushing forward with the Namo Bharat Rapid Rail and Vande Bharat networks.
• In the field of space, India is preparing for the 'Gaganyaan' mission and working toward establishing its own space station.

National Security and Global Impact

During his speech, PM Modi made a significant reference to 'Operation Sindoor,' stating that the world witnessed the impact of India's actions, while he mentioned that while the explosions were taking place at terrorist hideouts, the echoes were heard across the entire world. He asked the audience if this decisive strike made them feel proud, to which the crowd responded with thunderous applause. He emphasized that the mantra of 'Nagarik Devo Bhav' (the citizen is god) has become the core principle of governance in today's India.

Economic Growth and Global Partnerships

The Prime Minister also spoke about India's growing influence in sports and trade. He announced India's bid to host the 2036 Olympics and predicted a deeper partnership with Australia in the sporting arena. He highlighted the success of the India-Australia Trade Agreement and noted that India now has trade agreements with 40 countries. On the entrepreneurial front, he shared that India has over 2 lakh registered startups, with more than 4,000 new ones being registered every month. He also mentioned that an Indian space startup is set to launch its first rocket soon.

Bilateral Cooperation and Investment

Prior to PM Modi's address, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese welcomed him as a 'dear friend' and stated that this is a new era of friendship between the two countries. He recalled the warm welcome he received in Ahmedabad and praised India for always being the first to stand up during times of crisis. PM Modi also advocated for the early finalization of the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) during the Australia-India CEO Forum, while he welcomed the announcement by AustralianSuper CEO Paul Schroeder regarding a 500 million Australian Dollar investment in India, signaling strong institutional confidence in India's economic trajectory.