Prime Minister Modi Returns to Australia Amid Human Rights Discussions
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s first visit to Australia in three years has stirred conversations about human rights. His arrival on Wednesday night is eagerly anticipated by the Indian community living in Australia.
This trip marks Modi’s third visit since he took office and will be significant as he returns to Melbourne after over a decade. A large event at Marvel Stadium is expected to draw an audience of more than 20,000 people.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is set to meet Modi in Melbourne during the Australia-India Annual Leaders’ Summit, which runs from July 8 to 10.
As the visit approaches, Australian federal police have issued a warning to an individual linked to a threat against Modi. Meanwhile, a protest organized by an anti-Islamophobia group is planned to coincide with his visit.
Human rights organization Amnesty International has called on the Albanese government to address India’s human rights record during their discussions. They emphasized the importance of promoting journalists’ safety and addressing the treatment of religious and ethnic minorities.
On Thursday, the community event honoring Modi at Marvel Stadium is expected to attract between 25,000 and 30,000 attendees, according to Pranav Aggarwal from the Australia India Foundation. He described the event as a “celebration of the Australia-India success story.”
The “Melbourne Meets Modi” event will showcase performances celebrating Australia’s Indian heritage. However, the Alliance Against Islamophobia plans to protest Modi’s visit, focusing on issues like anti-Muslim hate and caste discrimination.
Critics have long accused Modi, who has been in office since 2014, of implementing policies that discriminate against certain communities, notably with a citizenship bill that favors refugees from some countries while excluding those from Muslim nations. His party, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), promotes Hindu nationalism, known as Hindutva.
In response to potential protests, the Victoria police stated that they are coordinating closely with law enforcement to maintain robust security arrangements, but declined to comment on specific plans.
The Australian Federal Police recently identified and spoke to an individual who allegedly made an online threat against Modi, assuring that there is no current risk to public safety.
Modi’s previous visit in 2023 was met with enthusiasm, attracting over 20,000 supporters at a rally in Sydney. His last trip to Melbourne was in 2014, when the city already had a sizable Indian-born population — a figure that has only grown since then.
Deepak-Raj Gupta from the Australia India Business Council noted that this event allows Modi an opportunity to connect directly with the Indian community in Australia, updating them on economic developments and future directions in India. He highlighted that Modi’s recurrent visits indicate a strengthening relationship between the two nations.
Gupta pointed out the emerging trade opportunities in clean energy, education, and critical minerals between Australia and India. In recent years, both countries have upgraded their partnership, which includes a comprehensive strategic agreement and ongoing trade negotiations. Albanese recently remarked that the Australia-India relationship has “never been more consequential.”
