New Delhi, Sep 17 (UNI) Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon today wished Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his 75th birthday by posting video messages on social media X.
New Zealand PM Christopher Luxon, who visited India in March this year, said Wellington was very proud to partner with India to achieve PM Modi’s vision of making India a developed country by 2047.
“Namaste! Congratulations PM Modi on your 75th birthday -from me and all your friends across New Zealand. This is also a moment to reflect on the wisdom of your leadership as you seek to guide India towards becoming a developed country by 2047. I am really excited about New Zealand partnering more with India to achieve that vision as we look to ensure that both our great nations achieve the security and also the prosperity that we seek. I hope I might be able to reciprocate the very warm hospitality that you extended to me in March by hosting you here in March; and in the meantime, I wish you a very, very happy birthday.”
PM Luxon, who paid a five-day visit to India on his first official trip as Prime Minister, was also the chief guest and keynote speaker at the 10th Raisina Dialogue in New Delhi on March 17. During his visit, the two nations announced the launch of negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA), and the two sides also institutionalized a new Defence Cooperation Arrangement.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, in his video greeting, said Australia is proud to share such a strong friendship with India. He also made it a point to thank the Indian community in Australia for their incredible contribution to the country.
“Happy Birthday to my friend Prime Minister Modi. Australia is proud to share such a strong friendship with India, and we are grateful everyday for the incredible contribution of the Indian community here in Australia. I look forward to catching up with you soon Prime Minister, and many more years of friendship and progress.”
PM Albanese thanking the Indian Community comes in the aftermath of the recent anti- immigrant rhetoric in Australia. Jacinta Nampijinpa Price, a senator in the centre-right Liberal Party, had recently alleged that an unsustainable number of Indians were migrating to the country. She also alleged that Indian migrants are being brought to Australia by the ruling Australian Labor Party (ALP) to vote for them.
Anti-immigration rallies in Australia’s major cities have seen the surfacing of anti-Indian sentiment, which has created a sense of deep unease among the Indian community. The Indian community comprises Australia’s second-largest diaspora group, with over 845,000 Indian-born residents as of 2023.
