Sydney Morning Herald: How Modi turned Aussie Parliament House into a rock star's stage

[Supply&Demand]

How Narendra Modi turned Parliament House into a rock star's stage


You got the sense there was something about Modi when world leaders had their official handshakes with Tony Abbott at the G20 summit.

While the other leaders offered brief handshakes and stiff smiles, India's Prime Minister strode out of the wings to greet his Australian counterpart with an exuberant hug.

http://images.smh.com.au/2014/11/18...9x410.11p4qn.png1416369175105.jpg-620x349.jpg
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Prime Minister Tony Abbott depart the House of Representatives after his address. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen

You got the same sense about Narendra Modi when he was later mobbed by chanting fans at the unveiling of a statue in Brisbane and then tweeted about how touched he was. And again when thousands of Indian Australians spent a day dancing, drumming and partying in anticipation of his speech in Sydney.

But when Modi began to address the parliament in Canberra on Tuesday, we knew for sure there was something about the Indian Prime Minister.

It wasn't just that he acknowledged Indigenous Australians when Mr Abbott did not.

http://images.smh.com.au/2014/11/18...9x410.11p4qn.png1416369175105.jpg-620x349.jpg
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the Australian Parliament on Tuesday. Photo: Andrew Meares

Or that he wondered how MPs were surviving a third address to parliament by a world leader in as many days.

"Maybe this is Prime Minister Abbott's way of shirtfronting you," he suggested with the hint of a wink.

It wasn't even the fact that – although he had an autocue – he appeared not to be speaking from prepared notes. He was eyes up all the way through.

It was because as soon as Modi got stuck into the substance of his address, he had the normally rowdy House of Representatives hypnotised.

"I come to you with the greetings of 1.25 billion people … and today I have come to unite in spirit, as we once were in geography," he declared.

In cadences befitting of someone who is a published poet as well as a politician, Modi spoke of how democracy offers "the best opportunity for the human spirit to flourish" and loaded praise on Australia, whose cities are "alive with [the] richness of this world's diversity".

But his stylish words also carried a serious message: India is open for business.

There are 800 million Indians under the age of 35, "eager for change, willing to work for it because, now they believe that it is possible".

Young Indians want energy that "does not cause our glaciers to melt," cities that are "smart, sustainable and liveable" and villages that "offer opportunity". And they want Australia's help to get there.

"India will be the answer to your search for new economic opportunities … your source for world class skills at home or for a manufacturing location abroad," he said with all the polish and confidence of a new car salesman.

As he concluded with a simple "thanks a lot," the chamber rose in a standing ovation.

They were not just being polite. If Madam Speaker had let them, they would have whistled, whooped and charged the stage.

That's what you do when you see a rock star perform.

 

[acid rain]

I also liked Tony Abbot's and the leader of the opposition's speech along with Modi's.

 

[Gibbs]

Watched the speech.. He came off very well and humble.. Deserves every accolade he achieved so far diplomatically .. Good on Mr. Modi

 

[Tshering22]

Watched the speech.. He came off very well and humble.. Deserves every accolade he achieved so far diplomatically .. Good on Mr. Modi

He's realistic.

For post colonial era, entire South Asia has been doing politics on identity. NaMo thinks on how to achieve economic stability, cultural harmony and get business done.

Hope that other leaders of SAARC also follow the suit.

If they do, then there is no stopping SAARC becoming another as economically productive as ASEAN.

 

[Developereo]

Thats the same australian secular media which which cries danger on election of strict hindu leader Modi as pm of India.​

Australia is a tiny country with delusions of grandeur far beyond its actual importance in geopolitics.

That's why the Abbott government has screwed up almost every single relationship in Asia, and that's why Abbott was happy that Modi played along with his delusions.

 

[Kyusuibu Honbu]

Australia is a tiny country with delusions of grandeur far beyond its actual importance in geopolitics.

That's why the Abbott government has screwed up almost every single relationship in Asia, and that's why Abbott was happy that Modi played along with his delusions.

How so?

Rudd Govt, Chinese appeasement was slap on their own face.

 

[Developereo]

How so?

Rudd Govt, Chinese appeasement was slap on their own face.

PM stumbling around the international stage

Tony Abbott’s foreign affairs disasters pass 40

 

[SrNair]

Australia is a tiny country with delusions of grandeur far beyond its actual importance in geopolitics.

That's why the Abbott government has screwed up almost every single relationship in Asia, and that's why Abbott was happy that Modi played along with his delusions.

I dont think they are that much tiny.Australia was the one of a nation that send their military for bombing IS positions.They are developed with huge resources.

 

[Gibbs]

He's realistic.

For post colonial era, entire South Asia has been doing politics on identity. NaMo thinks on how to achieve economic stability, cultural harmony and get business done.

Hope that other leaders of SAARC also follow the suit.

If they do, then there is no stopping SAARC becoming another as economically productive as ASEAN.

Well i think that's what leaders of both Bangladesh and Sri Lanka had been doing in the last couple of years.. Going by impressive economic growth stats and social stability especially in Bangladesh

 

[twocents]

Australia is a tiny country with delusions of grandeur far beyond its actual importance in geopolitics.

That's why the Abbott government has screwed up almost every single relationship in Asia, and that's why Abbott was happy that Modi played along with his delusions.

The British brag about "boxing above its weight". Aussies probably think along the same line.

 

[Supply&Demand]

The British brag about "boxing above its weight". Aussies probably think along the same line.

so does China btw...

 

[Developereo]

I dont think they are that much tiny.Australia was the one of a nation that send their military for bombing IS positions.They are developed with huge resources.

That's because Australia is America's poodle when it comes to foreign policy.

Many Australian politicians still have the white superiority complex where they see themselves as a European outpost in Asia. They look down arrogantly at most Asian countries, including China. The only reason they are being nice to India is because of the US policy promoting India to counter China. That's why Australia agreed on uranium shipments to India -- under US prodding.

 

[karan21]

I think the hug was to show the Australian PM the dominance of Modi. Its called political body language. He hugged with with a little pat on his back. Modi is truly a genius. Watch the video below and you will understand what I am saying.

 

[karan21]

That's because Australia is America's poodle when it comes to foreign policy.

Many Australian politicians still have the white superiority complex where they see themselves as a European outpost in Asia. They look down arrogantly at most Asian countries, including China. The only reason they are being nice to India is because of the US policy promoting India to counter China. That's why Australia agreed on uranium shipments to India -- under US prodding.

Isme bhi American haath hai

 

[Developereo]

The British brag about "boxing above its weight". Aussies probably think along the same line.

Some Australians still feel themselves to be a European outpost in Asia. They want to remind the folks "back home" that the outpost is still loyal to them.