As it happened: Modi in Brisbane

On Day 2 of his Brisbane visit, the Prime Minister met world dignitaries and unveiled a statue of Mahatma Gandhi.

November 16, 2014 08:19 am | Updated November 17, 2021 04:07 am IST - Brisbane

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed a programme to unveil statue of Mahatma Gandhi, at Roma Street.

Lot of potential for us to work together, Mr. Modi said.

I truly welcome engagement between states and cities, relationship can only prosper this way, Mr. Modi said.

Natural for Brisbane and Hyderabad to have sister city relations. Want to involve our States in international engagements, says Narendra Modi.

Credit for this strong partnership between India and Queensland goes to you Premier and Lord Mayor, says Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Mahatma Gandhi’s teachings relevant in addressing the challenges of global warming and terrorism: Modi. | >Modi unveils Gandhi statue in Brisbane

On 2nd October a person was not born in Porbandar but an era was born. Mahatma Gandhi is as relevant today as he was in his lifetime: PM

Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaks ahead of the unveiling of the Mahatma Gandhi statue: G20 meetings are over. Happy that beginning my bilateral visit to Australia with this programme.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives at Roma Street Parkland in Brisbane to unveil a statue of Mahatma Gandhi.

India's concerns on Black Money and Tax Avoidance have found an echo, and >have been included in the final G20 communiqué , PMO tweets.

G20 communiqué welcomes >India-U.S. understanding on trade facilitation with provisions on food security | Read more: >Obama credits Modi for WTO deal

G20 leaders release the 2014 G20 Leaders' Communiqué

Hectic day ahead for Modi at Brisbane

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

Mr. Modi's Sunday schedule would include meeting world dignitaries, attending the G20 Summit session and various public events.

As a part of the schedule, Mr. Modi has already met German Chancellor Angela Merkel prior to G20 session in the afternoon Brisbane time.

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

Before that, the 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 meeting 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 Mr. Modi meets Campbell Newman.

Mr. Adani is considered close to Mr. 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, is also hoping to mine vast amounts of coal in the Galilee Basin.

While the 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 on Sunday morning.

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

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

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

Saudi ‘ready to cooperate’ with India in all sectors

IANS reports: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday held a bilateral meeting with Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince and Deputy Prime Minister Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.

During the delegation level talks held on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Brisbane, the Saudi Crown Prince congratulated the Prime Minister and said his country was “ready to cooperate in all sectors”. >Read story .

Waiting for your visit, Merkel tells Modi

IANS reports: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday had a much-anticipated bilateral meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Brisbane ahead of the G20 meeting.

At the meeting, Ms. Merkel told Mr. Modi that “our relations are deepening...Waiting for your visit” . >Read story.

‘Tax havens should provide information on black money’

“The need for policy coordination among major economies remains strong,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi told a session at the G20 Summit in Brisbane on Sunday. “Although we each have our domestic priorities, coordinated decisions may help us all in the long run,” he told a G20 session on “delivering global economic resilience”. >Read story.

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