When Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visits Melbourne on 9 July, a date widely reported but yet to be officially confirmed, thousands are expected to gather at Marvel Stadium for what organisers are calling a historic diaspora event. More than 400 organisations have registered as Welcome Partners, while nearly 31,000 people signed up before registrations closed in June.
The Australia India Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation promoting cooperation between the two countries, is organising the reception under the banner “Melbourne Meets Modi: Vision, Partnership, Progress”. Community groups, business leaders, students, professionals and cultural organisations are expected to take part.
The visit would mark Modi’s third trip to Australia, following visits in 2014 and 2023. While Sydney is expected to host official bilateral engagements with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese this time, Melbourne has emerged as the venue for the large-scale public gathering.
The backdrop to the visit is significant. India and Australia are no longer simply trade partners but increasingly strategic ones. Last month, Australia, India, the United States and Japan unveiled a new Quad Critical Minerals Framework, committing to mobilise up to $20 billion in government and private sector support to strengthen supply chains for minerals essential to clean energy, advanced technologies and regional security. Australia possesses reserves of at least 21 of the 49 critical minerals identified by the Indian government and is seen as a key supplier as India expands its clean energy and advanced manufacturing ambitions.
For Professor Mohan Yellishetty, a leading expert in sustainable mineral resources at Monash University’s Department of Civil Engineering, the visit carries significance well beyond the community reception.
“PM Modi’s visit to Australia signifies the growing strategic partnership between India and Australia, especially in trade, critical minerals, defence, and cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region,” he told The Indian Sun.
“For the Indian diaspora in Australia, the visit is equally significant because it reflects their rising influence and recognition, while strengthening cultural connections and giving the community a greater sense of pride and belonging in Australia’s broader multicultural society.”
That diaspora is now substantial. The Indian-born population in Australia surpassed one million in 2024, making Indians the country’s fastest-growing migrant group. In Victoria alone, there are more than 370,000 people of Indian ancestry. The population spans multiple languages, faiths, regions and migration journeys, with large concentrations across Melbourne’s west, south-east and northern growth corridors.
Many organisations have publicly backed the Melbourne event, encouraging members to register and participate. The Uttar Pradesh Association of Australia described the gathering as a celebration of the growing partnership between India and Australia across trade, technology, innovation, education and cultural exchange.
Religious organisations have also joined as partners. Shree Swaminarayan Temple Junagadhdham Melbourne announced its support on social media, describing the event as an opportunity to celebrate friendship between Australia and India, cultural unity and community spirit.
Yet beyond the public statements of support, discussions taking place across Indian Australian social media forums reveal a more complex picture.
While many members say they are looking forward to the Prime Minister’s visit, others have questioned the scale of the celebrations and debated what the event means for Indians living in Australia.
On one Melbourne-based Facebook forum, a member questioned whether a rally-style event was appropriate in Australia and suggested Modi should also address issues affecting Indians living overseas. Another member, who preferred not to be named, said, “It would be better if he addressed the issues faced by Indians now.”
Others challenged the description of the visit as “historic”, noting that previous Indian prime ministers had also visited Australia.
The question of media access also surfaced in community discussions. Some members said they hoped Modi would take questions from Australian journalists during the visit. The issue has long been a point of discussion among both supporters and critics, with observers noting his preference for direct public communication over traditional press conferences.
At the same time, some members expressed concern about the increasingly heated tone of debate. In a Facebook post directed at administrators of a popular Indian community forum, one contributor called for stronger moderation, arguing that criticism was welcome but personal attacks and abusive language were creating divisions within the group.
The exchanges highlight a reality often overlooked in public discussion: the Indian Australian population is far from politically uniform.
Its members come from different states, religions, linguistic backgrounds, generations and migration experiences. Their views on India, its politics and its leaders can vary considerably.
While supportive voices were readily available, several people approached for comment declined to speak publicly about the Prime Minister, reflecting the sensitivity that Indian politics can generate within diaspora communities.
For Chanchal Kumavat, president of community organisation Saathi, Modi’s visit is deeply personal. “Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Melbourne means a great deal to me, both as an Indian and as a proud member of the Indian diaspora in Australia,” she said.
Having attended Modi’s Sydney event in 2023, Kumavat recalls the atmosphere as one of pride and unity. “For many NRIs, Modi ji is more than a political leader. He has instilled confidence, pride and a strong sense of identity among Indians living across the world.”
Kumavat believes India’s global standing has changed dramatically during the two decades she has lived overseas. “When I left India, it was a nation full of potential. Today, it is a nation confidently realising that potential,” she said, pointing to digital payments, infrastructure development and India’s growing international influence.
For many who have made Australia their home, India remains an important part of their identity regardless of their political views. Some continue to closely follow developments back home, while others feel increasingly disconnected from Indian politics after years abroad.
The differing reactions to Modi’s visit suggest there is no single Indian Australian perspective. As Melbourne prepares to welcome India’s Prime Minister, the event may serve not only as a showcase of India’s growing global influence, but also as a reminder of the diversity of voices that make up one of Australia’s fastest-growing communities.
The debates unfolding online, the enthusiasm of supporters and the reluctance of some to speak publicly all point to a diaspora that is engaged, diverse and far from monolithic.
Whether they cheer, criticise or simply look on, Indian Australians are confronting a question larger than any prime minister: Can a diaspora honour its origins while fully embracing its future? The answers, like the community itself, are anything but uniform.
Support independent community journalism. Support The Indian Sun.
Follow The Indian Sun on X | Instagram | Facebook
Support Independent Community Journalism
Dear Reader,The Indian Sun exists for one reason: to tell stories that might otherwise go unheard.
We report on local councils, state politics, small businesses and cultural festivals. We focus on the Indian diaspora and the wider multicultural community with care, balance and accountability. We publish in print and online, send regular newsletters and produce video content. We also run media training programs to help community organisations share their own stories.
We operate independently.
Community journalism does not have the backing of large media corporations. Advertising revenue fluctuates. Platform algorithms change. Costs continue to rise. Yet the need for credible, grounded reporting in a multicultural Australia has never been greater.
When you support The Indian Sun, you support:
• Independent reporting on issues affecting migrant communities
• Coverage of local and state decisions that shape daily life
• A platform for small businesses and community groups
• Media training that builds skills within the community
• Journalism accountable to readers
We cannot cover everything, but we work to cover what matters.
If you value thoughtful reporting that reflects Australia’s diversity, we invite you to contribute. Every donation helps us maintain the quality and consistency of our work.
Please consider making a contribution today.
Thank you for your support.
The Indian Sun Team
