Brisbane, 16 November 2014

Indian diaspora in Australia excited about PM’s visit

After going through a series of closed door meetings and summit sessions Saturday, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has a busy schedule on the concluding day of the G20 Summit here in Brisbane.

Prime minister’s Sunday schedule would include meeting world dignitaries, attending the G20 Summit session and various public events.

As a part of the schedule, Modi has already met German Chancellor Angela Merkel prior to G-20 session in the afternoon Brisbane time.

Later in the day, Modi would unveil a statue of Mahatma Gandhi in Brisbane’s inner street Roma Street Parkland.

Before that, Indian PM is expected to meet the premier of the hosting state Queensland. This meeting is being considered as very important from Queensland’ perspective.

Even though Premier Campbell Newman has not revealed the agenda for his tate-A-tate with the visiting dignitary from India, it is likely that he would seek Indian investment for the big ticket infrastructure projects such as the rail or ports.

The Queensland government is desperately seeking funds for development of the Galilee Basin to ensure the massive Indian coal mines get developed.

The meeting assumes significance as an Indian tycoon Gautam Adani, who has been putting together the $16 billion Carmichael project, is also in Brisbane these days. It is expected that an announcement would be made after Modi meets Campbell Newman.

Adani is considered very close to prime minister Modi.

The self-made Gujarati tycoon is not the only Indian business person engaged in mega coal mining projects in Queensland. Another Indian conglomerate GVK are also hoping to mine vast amounts of coal in the Galilee Basin.

While Adanis are trying to start construction early next year, it is becoming increasingly hard to attract investments as coal prices are not showing any signs of improving.

The Queensland government is ready to commit funds for the mega Indian coal projects which would translate into thousands of construction and mining jobs for the state.

“We are prepared to invest in core, common-user infrastructure,” the Queensland premier told media Sunday morning.

“The role of government is to make targeted investments to get something going and exit in a few year’s time,” Newman added.

It would be interesting to note if any announcement of Indian investment is made after the meeting of Modi and the Queensland premier.

The reluctance of the financial institution and strong opposition by the environmental lobby may influence Modi making any commitment.

PM’s intervention at the G20 session on “Delivering Global Economic Resilience”

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, today expressed India’s support for a new global standard on automatic exchange of information, which would be instrumental in getting information about unaccounted money hoarded abroad and enable it’s eventual repatriation. He was making an intervention during the G20 session on Delivering Global Economic Resilience. He said he supported all initiatives to facilitate exchange of information and mutual assistance in tax policy and administration.

Noting that increased mobility of capital and technology have created new opportunities for avoiding tax and profit shifting, the Prime Minister said he urged every jurisdiction, especially tax havens, to provide information for tax purposes in accordance with treaty obligations.

The Prime Minister reiterated his call for close policy coordination among major economies, saying this is important not just for also addressing the challenge of black money, but also for security issues like terrorism, drug trafficking, arms smuggling etc. He said although all countries have their domestic priorities, coordinated decisions would “help us all” in the long run. He said the resilience of the global financial system will also depend on cyber security.

Waiting for your visit, Angela Merkel tells Modi

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi Sunday had his first meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel who flagged concerns over the scrapping of German language from the third language slot in state-run Kendriya Vidyalayas.

Merkel, who met Modi in his first engagement of the day, told him “our relations are deepening” and also invited him to visit Germany at an early date.

She raised the issue of German language teaching being dropped and asked the prime minister to look into the issue, said external affairs ministry spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin at a briefing here.

“The prime minister assured that he himself is a votary of young Indians learning other languages, and the issue has to be worked out,” he said.

The matter came up in the wake of union Human Resource Development Minister Smriti Irani Friday announcing that the Kendriya Vidyalayas have decided to discontinue teaching German as an alternative to Sanskrit as a third language, a decision she said was taken in view of “national interest”.

Irani said German would continue to be offered as a “foreign language”.

Irani also asked the Kendriya Vidyalaya Board, which she heads, not to renew its 2011 Memorandum of Understanding with the German government’s Goethe Institut, which had provided the KVs with 700 German teachers.

She said the MoU was in violation of India’s national education policy and the national education framework.

The decision is expected to affect about over 70,000 students across 500 KVs from Classes 6 to 8 who will be asked to switch from German to Sanskrit.

Sanskrit teachers had earlier moved the Delhi High Court alleging that KVs had introduced German as a third language in place of Sanskrit against the education policy.

The spokesperson said Modi was “aware of the situation there” and added that “there are other mechanisms for learning foreign languages, not as a third language but other language”.

Merkel conveyed to Modi that Germany would be grateful if India can work out a system whereby students can learn foreign languages.

Both discussed the biennial bilateral meeting and Merkel agreed to visit India in the latter half of 2015, while Modi would be visiting Germany, along with other countries, in the first half of the year.

Both also discussed the prime minister’s vision of reform, and how he sees it going ahead.

They also discussed bilateral cooperation and the approach to BRICS and neighbours, the spokesperson added.

PM Modi meets Crown Prince Salman

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi meeting the Crown Prince and the Deputy Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia, His Royal Highness Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, in Brisbane, Australia. MEA tweeted: “Congrats PM of a friendly country, we are ready to cooperate in all sectors – Crown Prince Salman to PM”

Narendra Modi to unveil Mahatma Gandhi statue in Brisbane

Outcome of G20 summit: MEA briefing

G20 endorses India’s concerns on black money

Endorsing India’s concerns about black money and tax avoidance, G20 leaders Sunday promised to modernise international tax rules.

In a joint communique issued at the conclusion of the summit, the leaders said: “We welcome the significant progress on the G20/OECD (Organisation of Economic Cooperation and Development) Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS) Action Plan to modernise international tax rules. We are committed to finalising this work in 2015, including transparency of taxpayer-specific rulings found to constitute harmful tax practices.”

The communique stated that to prevent cross-border tax evasion, “we endorse the global Common Reporting Standard for the automatic exchange of tax information (AEOI) on a reciprocal basis”.

“We will begin to exchange information automatically with each other and with other countries by 2017 or end-2018, subject to completing necessary legislative procedures,” it stated.

Earlier Sunday, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a strong pitch at the G20 summit for repatriation of black money by stressing on the need for close coordination to address the challenge of black money, and linked it to security issues such as terrorism, a major global concern.

Addressing a G20 session titled “Delivering Global Economic Resilience”, the prime minister voiced support for a new global automatic exchange of information, saying it would be instrumental in getting information of the unaccounted money stashed abroad and help bring it back.

Making an intervention on issues of tax evasion on the second and final day at the G20 Summit, the prime minister “reiterated his call for close policy coordination among major economies, saying this is important not just for addressing the challenge of black money, but also for security issues like terrorism, drug trafficking, arms smuggling etc.”, according to an official statement.

Following the issuance of the communique, the Prime Minister’s Office tweeted: “India’s concerns on Black Money & Tax Avoidance have found an echo & have been taken on board the final G-20 communique.”

It also tweeted about the communique’s reference to the BEPS action plan and transparency in taxpayer specific rulings constituting harmful tax practices.

“India scores at G-20,” Syed Akbaruddin, spokesperson of the ministry of external affairs, tweeted. “PM @narendramodi strong intervention gets backing for inclusion in tax matters in final communique.”

G20 welcomes India-US WTO agreement
The G20 Summit communique Sunday welcomed the India-US understanding on WTO related to food security.

“G20 Summit Communique welcomes India-US understanding related to WTO on Trade facilitation with provisions on food security,” tweeted external affairs ministry spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin.

Highlights of PM’s Statement on Energy at G20 Summit
• Increased access to affordable, assured and clean energy supply for all should be our primary goal. It is a major economic opportunity for all countries.

• Let us make an ambitious and innovative effort to make renewable, especially solar energy, competitive with conventional energy. In Gujarat, the canal-top project worked well and saved water, too.

• Pricing of carbon, especially in mature markets with universal availability of power, can stimulate shift to renewable energy.

• Let us increase our collective R&D efforts and collaboration; and, ensure dissemination to all countries. For this, I would propose that we set up a global virtual centre for clean energy research and development, with adequate public funding, which will fund collaborative projects in diverse sources of clean energy, smart grids, energy efficiency, etc. India and the United States have built an excellent virtual centre on a bilateral basis, with matching public and private funding. We can select a team of outstanding experts to evaluate and judge research projects. The results should be available to all countries.

• We should also discuss innovative funding models to ensure rapid expansion of renewable energy in decentralised manner in rural areas.

• In countries like India, there are vast opportunities for those wishing to invest in clean coal technology, since our dependence will not reduce very soon.

• Nuclear energy can still be a safe, reliable and clean source of energy. It will be an important part of our mix.

• Energy efficiency is the best source of clean energy. In India, for example, building energy efficiency and efficiency in areas such as buildings, household appliances and industrial goods is receiving strong attention. I invite you to come and invest in this sector in India.

• I also believe that change in lifestyle and economy in consumption will be the most enduring response to energy challenges.

• G20 can be effective in promoting an integrated the natural gas market, ensuring freer trade in gas and ensuring that the markets operate more efficiently.

Narendra Modi speaking at Brisbane at opening of Mahatma Gandhi’s statue

Text of Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi’s address at a programme held to unveil statue of Mahatma Gandhi, at Roma Street Parkland, in Brisbane

उपस्थित सभी महानुभाव,

अभी दो घंटे पहले G -20 का समापन हुआ और अब मेरा विधिवत ऑस्ट्रेलिया के साथ Bilateral मीटिंग का कार्यक्रम शुरू हुआ और प्रारंभ पूज्य बापू के Statue के अनावरण के साथ-साथ उनको नमन कर करके हो रहा है। यह मेरे लिए बहुत सौभाग्य की बात है।

मैं, इसके जो traditional owner है इस धरती के, उनको विशेष रूप से अभिनंदन करता हूं। इस कार्य के लिए और मैं आभार भी व्यक्त करता हूं। मैं ब्रिसबेन के मेयर का भी बहुत आभार व्यक्त करता हूं कि इस काम के लिए उन्होंने हमें सहयोग दिया और हर भारतीय की भावना का आदर किया। इसके लिए मैं उनका भी आभार व्यक्त करता हूं। इन दिनों भारत में मेरे विषय को लेकर के एक चर्चा चलती है और मैं भी सुनकर के कभी-कभी हैरान होता हूं। कुछ लोग यह कहते हैं कि मोदी प्रधानमंत्री बनने के बाद बार-बार गांधी का नाम लेते हैं और हर चीज में गांधी को लाते हैं। लेकिन आज हेमंत भाई ने जो घटना सुनाई उसके बाद में समझता हूं इस प्रकार की चर्चा करने वालों को जवाब मिला होगा कि जब मैं मुख्यमंत्री भी नहीं था और ब्रिसबेन भी जाता हूं, तब भी यहां के लोगों से गांधी की बात करता हूं। मेरा यह Commitment है मेरा यह समर्पण है, यह मेरा उनके प्रति श्रद्धा के भाव की अभिव्यक्ति है।

हमारे शर्मा जी का परिवार यहां बैठा है। उस समय जो मुझे, मेरी खातिरदारी करते थे, जब मैं यहां आया। पुराने लोगों को मैं देख रहा हूं। काफी परिचित चेहरे मुझे नजर आ रहे हैं, लेकिन बड़े लम्बे अरसे के बाद आज मेरा आप सब के बीच आना हुआ है। लेकिन एक अच्छे अवसर पर मुझे आने का सौभाग्य मिला है।

2 अक्तूबर को पोरबंदर की धरती पर किसी इंसान का जन्म नहीं हुआ था बल्कि 2 अक्तूबर को पोरबंदर की धरती पर एक युग का जन्म हुआ था। और मैं मानता हूं कि महात्मा गांधी आज भी दुनिया के लिए उतने ही relevant है, जितने कि वे अपने जीवनकाल में थे।

आज विश्व दो बड़े संकटों से गुजर रहा है और पूरे विश्व को उसकी चिंता है, चर्चा है। हमारी जी-20 Summit में भी इन दोनों बातों की चर्चा में काफी समय भी गया है और हमें उन दो बातों का जवाब महात्मा गांधी के जीवन में से मिलता है। महात्मा गांधी के जीवन की बातों को अगर हम देखेंगे, तो आज विश्व जिन समस्या‍ओं से जूझ रहा है। उसका जवाब ढूंढने में हमें कोई दिक्कत नहीं होगी। आज दुनिया को एक चिंता है Global Warming की और दुनिया को दूसरी चिंता है Terrorism की, आतंकवाद की।

Global Warming के मूल में मुनष्य की जो प्रकृति का शोषण करने का स्वभाव रहा। सदियों से हमने प्रकृति का शोषण किया, प्रकृति का विनाश किया और उसी ने आज ग्लो्बल वार्मिंग का हमारे लिए संकट पैदा किया है। महात्मा गांधी हमेशा प्रकृति‍ से प्रेम करने का संदेश देते थे। उनकी पूरी जीवनचर्या में Exploitation of the nature, उसका विरोध करते थे। मनुष्य को एक सीमा तक ही milking of the nature का ही अधिकार है। उससे ज्यादा प्रकृति से लेने का अधिकार नहीं है। यह बात महात्मा गांधी जी ने जीवन मे करके दिखाई थी।

अगर हमने प्रकृति का शोषण न किया होता, मुनष्य की आवश्यकता के अनुसार बस milking of nature किया होता, तो आज जो पूरे विश्व को जिस प्रकार के संकटों को झेलना पड़ रहा है, शायद हमें जूझना न पड़ता।

महात्मा गांधी जब 25 के कालखंड में, 20- 25 के कालखंड में, 1925– 1930 में साबरमती आश्रम में रहते थे। 1930 में दांडी यात्रा के लिए वो चल पड़े थे, उसके बाद वापस कभी साबरमती आश्रम नहीं आए थे और साबरमती नदी के किनारे पर रहते थे। उस समय साबरमती नदी लबालब पानी से भारी हुई रहती थी। 1920-25 के कालखंड में पानी की कोई कमी नहीं थी लेकिन उस समय भी अगर गांधी को पानी कोई देता था और ज्यादा पानी देता था तो गांधी उसको डांटते थे कि पानी क्यों बरबाद कर रहे हो, पानी आधा ग्लिास दो जरूरत पड़ी तो कोई दूसरी बार मांगेगा। गांधी इतने आग्रही रहते थे। अपने पास आए हुए लिफाफे के पीछे वो लिखते थे, क्योंकि उनको मालूम था कि मैं ज्यादा कागज उपयोग करूंगा, तो ज्यादा वृक्ष कटेंगे और तब जाकर के कागज बनेगा और वो भी मैं नहीं करूंगा। यहां तक उनका आग्रह रहता था। हम कल्पना कर सकते हैं गांधी के जीवन की हर बात में कि वो प्रकृति की रक्षा के संबंध में कितने सजग थे और अपने जीवन आचरण के माध्यम से प्रकृति की रक्षा का संदेश कितना देते थे और वही जीवन अगर हम जीते या आज भी अगर उस जीवन को हम स्वीकार करे तो हम Global Warming की दुनिया की जो चिंता है, उस दुनिया को बचाने में हमारी तरफ से भी कुछ न कुछ योगदान दे सकते हैं। महात्मा गांधी ने हमें अहिंसा का मार्ग सिखाया, यह अहिंसा का शस्त्र, यह सिर्फ अंग्रेजों के खिलाफ लड़ाई लड़ने का साधन था, ऐसा नहीं है। अंहिसा, यह Article of faith महात्मा गांधी का यह विश्वास था कि हम शब्द् से भी किसी की हिंसा नहीं कर सकते। शस्त्र से तो हिंसा की बात बहुत दूर की है और अगर आज विश्व ने गांधी के उस अंहिसा के संदेश को पचाया होता, समझने की कोशिश की होती; “Holier-than-thou” मैं तुमसे बड़ा हूं; मैं तुमसे से ताकतवर हूं; मैं तुमसे अच्छा हूं; मेरा रास्ता ही से सही है इस प्रकार के जो विवादों के अंदर जो दुनिया फंसी हुई है और जिसको अपनी बात को सिद्ध करने के लिए शस्त्र का सहारा लिया जा रहा है और निर्दोष लोगों को मौत के घाट उतार दिया जा रहा है; महात्मा गांधी का संदेश उस रास्तें से हमें भटकने से बचा सकता था।

आज भी विश्व के लिए सबके प्रति आदर का भाव, सबके प्रति समानता का भाव, यही हमें विश्व से बचने का रास्ता हो सकता है। कोई किसी से बड़ा है और इसलिए अगर मैं उसको चुनौती दूं, उसको खत्म करूं। यह रास्ता विश्व को मंजूर नहीं है। जगत बदल चुका है। और महात्मा गांधी ने जो सपना देखा था उस सपने की ताकत कितनी है वो आज दुनिया को समझ में आना शुरू हुआ है।

मैं विशेष रूप से उन परिवारों का भी आभार व्यक्त करता हूं। जब मैं आया और ऐसी बातें की और उस पर वो लगे रहे। हेमंत और उनके सारे दोस्तों से मैं पूछ रहा था कि हेमंत, तुम्हारे बाल कहां चले गए तो कल्पना ने मुझको कहा कि मैं तो उसको ठीक खिला रही हूं। आपके दोस्त को मैं खिला रही हूं आप चिंता मत कीजिए। ऐसा एक पारिवारिक वातारण इतने पुराने साथियों बातों-बातों में मन से जो बात निकली मैंने भी कभी सोचा नहीं था कि ये लोग यह काम तो करेंगे ही, लेकिन वो सौभाग्य मेरे नसीब में होगा, शायद कोई ईश्वरीय संकेत है कि इस काम के लिए मुझे अवसर मिला।

जो लोग बाहर हैं, यहां पहुंच नहीं पाएं हैं, उनका भी मैं सम्मान पूर्वक आदर करता हूं। और उनका गौरव करता हूं आप सबका भी मैं आभार व्यक्त करता हूं। फिर एक बार मैं सबका अभिनंदन करता हूं। यह महान काम करने के लिए बहुत बहुत धन्यावाद और पूज्य बापू को हम सब प्रणाम करते हुए उनसे प्रेरणा लेकर के मानवजाति के कल्याण के लिए जो कुछ भी कर सकते हैं करने का हम प्रयास करें। बहुत बहुत शुभकामनाएं।

Modi addresses diaspora, says Mahatma Gandhi still relevant

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Sunday said that Mahatma Gandhi is as relevant today as he was in his lifetime.

Speaking at a function where he unveiled a statue of Mahatma Gandhi at Roma Street Parkland here following the conclusion of the G20 summit, he said, “On October 2 (1869), a person was not born in Porbandar but an era was born.”

Earlier, Modi arrived at the venue to a rousing welcome by the Indian diaspora gathered there and was greeted by the mayor of Brisbane.

“G20 meetings are over. Happy (about) beginning my bilateral visit to Australia with this programme: PM,” the Prime Minister’s Office tweeted ahead of his arrival at the venue.

The programme organisers said that a bridge will be named after Mahatma Gandhi in Springfield.

Modi earlier attended the G20 Summit in Brisbane and held one-to-one meetings with a number of world leaders.

He will visit other Australian cities, including capital Canberra, and also address the Australian Parliament, during his stay in the country.

Public Reception of PM Narendra Modi in Brisbane

Text of Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi’s address at Civic Reception hosted by Premier of Queensland and The Lord Mayor Of Brisbane

I want to acknowledge the traditional owner of the land on which we stand today and pay my respect to their elders and their past and present. Premier Campbell Newman, Lord Mayor Graham Quirk and Friends,

Thank you very much for hosting this Reception. I am delighted to be present at this function. Congratulations to Brisbane for being such a wonderful host to G20. You did an outstanding job. I know that you have often lived in the shadow of Melbourne and Sydney. This week you have shown the world what a great city and host you are.

Today, I have started my bilateral visit to Australia and, I am pleased that it has begun here. Queensland is at the forefront of relations between India and Australia.

Earlier today, I had the privilege to unveil a statue of Mahatma Gandhi in Brisbane. This has added a special bond of emotion between us. This is a symbol of the values that we share; the ideals we aspire to; and, the world we wish to build. The credit for this strong partnership between India and Queensland goes to you, Premier Newman and Lord Mayor.

Your missions to India have been very productive and brought our businesses and our people closer. Several Queensland business delegations are visiting India this year. Queensland has emerged as a major source of key resources to power India`s growth development. It is also a major destination of Indian investments. You have supported partnership in education and skills.

Queensland`s universities and research institutions are collaborating closely with India. They have used the opportunities provided by Australia-India Strategic Research Fund well.

I went to Queensland University the other day and met some of your scientists and academics. The joint research we are doing will help our farmers, especially in dry areas, and contribute to food security in India. Queensland`s fruits and vegetables are really good. There is a lot of potential for us to work together.

I am joined on this visit by a delegation of business and academic leaders from India, who are forging strong partnerships with Australia and especially with Queensland.

I am grateful to you for looking after the Indian community of nearly 100,000. Some have been here for generations, some have come more recently. But, they are really happy here. They are the bridge of friendship and understanding between us.

We can also learn and gain a lot from each other in tourism. Lord Mayor, Brisbane has emerged as centre of advanced technology; at the same time Hyderabad is also known as Cyberabad. It is natural that the two cities have a sister-city relationship. I truly welcome the engagement between states and cities. Relations between countries can prosper fully only if we bring our states and cities together.

That is why I am also very keen to involve states in India in our international engagements.

Friends, This is an exciting moment in India. A moment filled with optimism; a desire for change and progress; and the confidence to achieve it. Driven by the energy and the enterprise of our youth. This is a time to forge partnerships in India. You will find a welcoming environment that not only makes it possible, but also easy and smooth.

Here in Brisbane and at this Reception, I feel the sentiment of friendship between our people and the promise of a strong partnership in the years ahead.

I want to thank you once again for the warmth of your welcome and your hospitality.

Modi Express

After Brisbane, euphoric reception awaits Modi in Sydney

The Indian diaspora in Sydney is awaiting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s quick-fire, high-energy visit Monday.

Modi, the first Indian prime minister to visit Australia in 28 years after Rajiv Gandhi, got an enthusiastic welcome from the Indian community in Brisbane Sunday after the two-day G20 talks got over.

In a redux of New York city’s reception of Modi at the Madison Square Garden, over 16,000 members of the Indian disapora are set to pack the Allphones Arena at Olympic Park to hear Modi at a community reception Monday.

About 5,000 more are to watch the evening event on big screens outside.

Modi will be on a six-hour visit to Sydney before proceeding to Canberra later at night.

On Sunday night, more than 200 Modi fans left Melbourne for the Allphones Arena on a specially chartered train called the “Modi Express”.

“Modi fever grips Sydney,” the Sydney Morning Herald said in an article.

“The city will get a dose of Modi-mania on Monday when the Indian prime minister makes a quick-fire, high-energy visit,” it said.

It quoted Sydney-based Indian dance teacher Purvi Desai as saying that she and her students will give those arriving at the reception a traditional Indian welcome — rose petals and a ’tilak’ on the forehead.

“Desai, who like Mr. Modi hails from the Indian state of Gujarat, admires Mr. Modi for the sense of hope he has brought the country she left as an 11-year old,” the daily said.

“I think he’s brought a lot of discipline and a can-do culture to India. I’m really excited that we are welcoming an India leader,” it quoted her as saying.

The organisers are hoping to outdo the Madison Square Garden in New York.

“However, there will be Modi-dissenters at Allphones Arena along with admirers. About 500 members of the Sikh community, and other minority Indian religions, are expected to stage a peaceful demonstration,” said the Sydney Morning Herald.

“Karandeep Singh Chadha, a spokesman for the protesters, says many religious minorities do not feel safe in India because hardline groups associated with Mr. Modi have an agenda is to make India a Hindu nation by wiping out other cultures, religions and ethnicities,” it said.

The Indian Australian Community Foundation (IACF) is organising the event.

The event would be streamed live at www.youtube.com/PMvisitaus.

The hashtag for the event is #ModiInAustralia.

On Sunday, Modi attended an event to unveil a statue of Mahatma Gandhi at Roma Street Parkland in Brisbane and later attended a civic reception hosted by Queensland Premier Campbell Newman and Brisbane Lord Mayor Graham Quirk.

PM Modi meets the Premier of Queensland Campbell Newman in Brisbane, Australia