Before he begins his tour to Australia for the G-20 leaders Summit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has sought ideas from people, including those living in Australia, on some of the key issues concerning Indian community.
This will be Modi’s first visit to Australia where he will first go to Brisbane to attend the G-20 leaders meet on November 15-16 and then travel to Canberra for bilateral meeting with Australian PM Tony Abbott on November 18. This will be second meeting between the two leaders. Abbott had visited India last month during which the two countries signed the civil nuclear cooperation agreement for supply of uranium to India's energy needs.
“During my Australia visit in November, I would be attending a variety of programmes, including an interaction with the Indian community there. I want to hear ideas and thoughts from all of you, including friends in Australia and the Indian community there on my visit,” Modi tweeted.
For this the PMO has created a special platform on MyGov website where the ideas can be shared. “Participate in this MyGov Open Forum and share your ideas on what you feel are important issues for my Australia visit on :http://mygov.in/groupissue/prime-minister-in-australia/ show,” the Prime Minister said.
Indians living in Australia in the past have been victims of hostility and racial discrimination prompting the Aussie government to take proactive steps to prevent these. Indian students in Australia were also affected after three vocational colleges were ordered to shut down following non compliance of training standards. Yet Australia remains the most popular destination for vocational training by Indian students and the number is steadily growing. In fact, Indian community has a large presence in Australia — about one per cent of the total Aussie population is of Indians.
Before he touches down in Brisbane, Modi will visit Myanmar to attend East Asia Summit (EAS) on November 12-13 in Nay Pyi Taw. From Australia the PM is likely to go to Fiji on November 19.