Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is due to arrive in Melbourne late on Wednesday, beginning a three-day visit that will place Australia-India relations, trade and the Indian Australian community in the national spotlight.
Modi’s visit, his third to Australia as Prime Minister, will include the Australia-India Annual Leaders’ Summit with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, meetings with business leaders, a major community gathering at Marvel Stadium and engagements focused on defence, technology and investment. His arrival at Melbourne Airport is scheduled for Wednesday night, where he will be welcomed by Australian Government representatives.
The formal programme begins on Thursday with Albanese welcoming Modi before an Australia-India Economic Roadmap Business Reception, a ceremonial welcome at Government House Victoria, the Annual Leaders’ Summit and joint press statements. Modi will also meet Governor-General Sam Mostyn before attending the “Melbourne Meets Modi” community event at Marvel Stadium.
On Friday, the two leaders are scheduled to visit the Melbourne Cricket Ground, where they will meet representatives from Cricket Australia and the AFL before Modi departs Australia in the afternoon.
Professor Vikas Kumar from the University of Sydney Business School said the visit reflects the growing importance of the Australia-India relationship.
Government discussions are expected to focus on expanding bilateral trade and investment, strengthening defence and security cooperation, developing partnerships in technology and critical minerals, and building closer education and people-to-people links.
Business engagement is expected to feature prominently, with a CEOs forum and meetings involving industry leaders and state representatives planned alongside the diplomatic programme.
One of the largest public events of the visit will be the Indian diaspora reception at Melbourne’s Marvel Stadium on Thursday evening. Organisers have promoted the event as “Melbourne Meets Modi”, with cultural performances followed by addresses from Modi and Albanese. The official proceedings are scheduled to begin at 7.45pm.
Australian authorities have maintained that there is no current or imminent public security threat linked to the visit. Police are nevertheless expected to maintain a strong presence around official venues, with security screening in place for public events.
Groups critical of Modi’s record on civil liberties and minority rights have indicated they intend to stage protests during the visit, adding another dimension to an event that has drawn attention from political leaders, business groups and Australia’s large Indian community.
The visit follows continued growth in Australia-India ties across trade, defence, education and technology. Observers will be watching closely for announcements emerging from the leaders’ summit, outcomes from business meetings and the messages delivered during Thursday night’s community event.
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