Modi wraps Australia visit with 30,000-person diaspora rally

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi concluded a major visit to Australia on Friday, July 10, 2026, marked by a massive diaspora rally in Melbourne and high-level talks aimed at deepening strategic and economic ties. The visit underscored the growing influence of the Indian community in Australia, which has recently become the country's largest diaspora group.

On Thursday, July 9, Modi addressed an estimated 30,000 supporters at Melbourne’s Marvel Stadium in what was described as the largest such gathering for any leader in Australia. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese joined Modi on stage, where the two leaders stood for national anthems and shared an embrace. In his speech, Modi hailed the Indian diaspora as a vital bridge between the two nations, crediting them with deepening bilateral relations. He noted that many parts of Melbourne are now popularly called "mini India."

Modi used the platform to reaffirm India's national goals, including its vision to become a developed nation, or "Viksit Bharat," by 2047 and to ascend as the world's third-largest economy. He highlighted recent achievements such as advancements in space exploration, manufacturing under the "Make in...