PM Modi: Strongest and biggest foundations of India-Australia relations are mutual trust and mutual respect

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said the strongest and biggest foundations of India-Australia relations are mutual trust and mutual respect, and the real reason behind this is the Indian diaspora.

Modi made the remarks while addressing a community event at Sydney's Qudos Bank Arena which was attended by more than 21,000 people from across Australia. 

The event was also attended by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.

Prime Minister Modi said that there was a time when 3Cs used to define relations between India and Australia. These three were - Commonwealth, Cricket and Curry.

Modi said that the geographical distances are there between India and Australia, but the Indian Ocean connects us.

Modi said millions of Indians were saddened when Aussie spin bowler Shane Warne died.

Underling that the IMF considers India the bright spot of the global economy, Modi said according to the World Bank, if there's any country which is withstanding global headwinds, it's India.

Prime Minister Modi also announced that India will open a consulate in Brisbane to fulfill the long-pending demand by the diaspora.

Modi thanked his Australian counterpart for supporting him in unveiling the foundation stone of 'Little India', a suburb of Sydney.

The announcement to declare Harris Park as 'Little India' was made by Australian Prime Minister Albanese as he welcomed Modi at the community event.

Harris Park is a hub in Western Sydney where the Indian community celebrates festivals and events such as Diwali and Australia Day.

Earlier, Modi and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese were welcomed with Vedic chants and traditional Australian aboriginal ceremony as they arrived at the venue.