Melbourne: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday highlighted India’s growing defence capabilities, economic progress and global ambitions while addressing the Indian diaspora at the ‘Melbourne Meets Modi’ event in Australia, saying the country is moving ahead with the vision of “Grow More, Achieve More” towards becoming a developed nation.
Addressing a large gathering at Melbourne’s Marvel Stadium in the presence of Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, PM Modi said Operation Sindoor demonstrated India’s military capability and its resolve to respond firmly to terrorism.
“During Operation Sindoor, you must have seen the explosions that struck terrorist hideouts. Their echoes were heard across the world,” Modi said, adding that the operation showcased the “capability and credibility of India’s defence platforms.”
He said the action against terror camps reflected a new India that believes in protecting its citizens and responding decisively to threats.
Speaking about India’s growth journey, Modi said the foundation of the country’s big dreams and aspirations is its 1.4 billion citizens.
“India of the 21st century is working towards the goal of becoming a developed nation. When one dream is realised, a new one is born. This is an India that believes in ‘Grow More, Achieve More’,” he said amid applause from the audience.
Calling India the world’s fastest-growing major economy, the Prime Minister said the country aims to become one of the world’s top three economies at the earliest.
“We are a nation of 1.4 billion people brimming with aspirations. We are eager and impatient. We want to achieve more,” he said.
Highlighting India’s technological advancements, Modi said the country has become the world’s second-largest 5G market and is rapidly working on indigenous Made-in-India 6G technology.
He said India is also developing a new manufacturing ecosystem covering sectors from chips to ships, while promoting innovation and entrepreneurship.
Emphasising the startup ecosystem, Modi said India now has more than 2 lakh registered startups, with over 4,000 new startups being registered every month. He added that hundreds of startups are working in defence and space sectors, which were opened to private participation only a few years ago.
Recalling India’s achievements in space, Modi said the successful landing of Chandrayaan on the Moon’s south pole was a historic milestone, but India was not stopping there.
“Now India will send Gaganyaan, and we are working towards the goal of building our own space station,” he said.
The Prime Minister also highlighted India’s global humanitarian role, saying the country helps nations in distress without considering borders or passports.
“When India helps, it doesn’t look at how far the distance is. It considers the pain of humanity as its own,” he said, referring to India’s relief efforts in countries affected by earthquakes and natural disasters.
Speaking about India-Australia relations, Modi said the partnership between the two nations has strengthened significantly over the past decade, with the Indian diaspora playing a key role as a “living bridge” between the two countries.
“This is my third visit to Australia in 12 years. This shows how India-Australia relations have strengthened,” he said, thanking the diaspora for strengthening India’s global image while preserving its cultural heritage.
Modi praised the growing cooperation between India and Australia in education, skills, innovation and sports, saying these areas are becoming important pillars of bilateral ties.
He noted that a large number of Indian students are studying in Australia, while Australian universities are expanding their presence in India.
Highlighting sports cooperation, Modi said India is preparing to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games and is also a contender for hosting the 2036 Olympic Games, expressing confidence that India-Australia collaboration in sports will expand further.
Praising Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Modi described him as a close friend of India and thanked him for strengthening bilateral ties and supporting the Indian community in Australia.
Australia is home to nearly a million people of Indian origin, making the diaspora an important link between the two nations.
