IT must be said to the credit of Prime Minister Modi that he is a master of oratory. No matter where he speaks, be it in his own country or abroad Modi holds his own and needs no prompter or paper to articulate his thoughts. And it is not that his speeches are without substance and only rhetoric. The man has done his homework well and manages to relate to his listeners, something few politicians manage to do. Compared to the expressionless, almost emotionless former Prime Minister, Dr Man Mohan Singh, Modi comes across as a suave communicator. There are huge expectations from the Modi Government both from his own country and the Indian Diaspora. Their interest in this man is exceptional. And Modi’s attempts to reach out to neighbouring countries and those that make up the famous String of Pearls – a strategic maritime initiative, are significant. No Indian Prime Minister has given so much thought to India’s external affairs. As a result Indian diplomacy centred largely around the so-called powerful nations and ignored the closer neighbours beyond Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Pakistan and Nepal.
India’s engagement with Australia is significant as that country has rich natural resources that India can use as a manufacturing country. Coal, copper ores, and petroleum account for nearly 80% of India’s imports from Australia. India would need energy for its manufacturing sector. Australia has expertise in the area of food processing and agricultural practices that India can learn from. The sectors for bilateral trade cannot all be listed here and the Modi Government will perhaps explore more areas. Australia is another country that has a substantial Indian Diaspora many of whom studied in that country and has taken employment there. Australian institutions have been wooing Indian students with the paying capacity to study Down Under. Often these students have been at the receiving end of Australian ire. Modi’s visit will hopefully temper down these racist attacks even as Australians look at India with a new-found respect. Modi is the first Indian Prime Minister to visit Australia in 28 years. This is the beginning of a new era in Australia-India relationship.
