Melbourne/New Delhi, 09 July (H.S.): Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while addressing the Indian community in Melbourne on Thursday, said that 21st-century India is rapidly moving towards becoming a developed nation with the mantra of Grow More, Achieve More. He stated that India is no longer limiting its ambitions to the success of the Chandrayaan missions but is now working towards the Gaganyaan human spaceflight mission and the establishment of its own space station.

Addressing a grand Indian diaspora event in Melbourne, Prime Minister Modi said that India is the world's fastest-growing major economy and is steadily progressing towards becoming one of the world's top three economies. He added that once India fulfils one dream, it has the confidence and capability to dream even bigger and turn those aspirations into reality.

The Prime Minister began his address by paying tribute to the Traditional Custodians of Australia's Indigenous heritage. He said it was a special pleasure to meet the Indian community in Melbourne after his visit to Sydney. Thanking Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese for attending the event, Modi said that India-Australia relations have reached new heights, with the Indian diaspora playing a pivotal role in strengthening bilateral ties.

Recalling his first visit to Australia as Prime Minister in 2014, Modi noted that it had come after a gap of 28 years since the previous visit by an Indian Prime Minister. He reminded the audience that he had then promised they would not have to wait another 28 years for the next visit. This, he said, is now his third visit to Australia in the past 12 years, reflecting the growing strength and depth of the bilateral relationship.

The Prime Minister praised the Indian community for its significant contribution to Australia's growth while remaining deeply connected to its roots in India. He said Indians carry with them love, culture, and values wherever they go. In a light-hearted remark, he said, The milk in your homes may be Australian, but the tea made from it is Indian.

He observed that the Indian community in Melbourne continues to preserve its cultural identity through festivals, religious celebrations, cultural programmes for children, and cricket tournaments. He also extended his best wishes for the successful organisation of the Indian Film Festival in Melbourne.

Highlighting India's achievements in space exploration, Modi said the country created history by becoming the first nation to successfully land near the Moon's south pole. However, he emphasised that India is not stopping there and is now working on the Gaganyaan mission as well as developing its own space station.

The Prime Minister said that India today has more than 200,000 registered startups, with over 4,000 new startups being launched every month. He noted that private enterprises are making rapid progress in sectors such as defence and space, adding that India's first private space startup is expected to launch a satellite using its own rocket in the near future.

He said that over the past 12 years, the Make in India initiative has evolved into a globally recognised brand. Indian-made mobile phones, automobiles, defence equipment, and other manufactured products are establishing a strong presence in international markets. Today, India is building a new manufacturing ecosystem ranging from chips to ships, while also making rapid progress in 6G technology, he said.

Referring to Operation Sindoor, the Prime Minister said the world has witnessed India's defence capabilities and credibility. The explosions were taking place at terrorist hideouts, and their echoes were heard across the world, he remarked.

He further said that Nagrik Devo Bhava (Citizens are Divine) has become the guiding principle of India's governance. India's policies, he said, are inspired by the philosophy of Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinah (May All Be Happy), and whenever India extends assistance to another country, it does not discriminate on the basis of passports or nationality. Citing India's relief and rescue efforts following the earthquake in Venezuela, he said India regards the entire world as one family.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was also present at the event. The two leaders warmly greeted each other on stage. Members of the Indian community welcomed Prime Minister Modi with enthusiastic chants of Modi, Modi. Later, in a post on social media, Prime Minister Modi said the Melbourne community programme was made even more special by Prime Minister Albanese's presence, adding that his participation reflected his deep commitment to the enduring India-Australia friendship.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar