Melbourne, July 8 (IANS). Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to reach Melbourne on Wednesday. Regarding his visit, people of the Indian expatriate community living in Australia have expressed the hope that this will further strengthen the trade relations between India and Australia.
People from the Indian community have appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese to include inclusivity, visa limits for foreign students and other immigration-related issues in the bilateral talks between the two countries.
Speaking to news agency IANS, Nikita Kaur Chopra, former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Australia India Chamber of Commerce (AICC), said, “I have been living in Australia for the last seven years. The Prime Minister of Australia is emphasizing on business opportunities, cooperation and strengthening bilateral trade between the two countries.”
He said, “We hope that this visit of Prime Minister Modi will further strengthen the relations between India and Australia. We are looking forward to more convenience in the visa process for Indians, better immigration system and stronger business relations between the two countries.”
Nikita Kaur Chopra appealed to the Prime Ministers of both the countries to include issues related to immigration like racism against Indians in their talks.
“Everyone should be accepted in the society,” he said.
He further said, “For Indian businessmen who want to come to Australia and do business, the rules related to visa, trade and employment should be made easier. This will benefit both the countries.”
Nikita Kaur Chopra further said that she will also attend the CEO Forum during Prime Minister Modi’s visit. “I particularly want to understand how we can make it easier for Indian businesses to do business in Australia,” she said.
Another member of the Indian community said, “I consider myself fortunate that when I came to Australia six years ago, Prime Minister Modi was still leading the country. Today I have seen a lot of positive changes. Indians are viewed with utmost respect in many countries of the world. India’s economy has moved out of the ‘Fragile Five’ and has become one of the top five economies of the world.”
He said that this visit of Prime Minister Modi is a moment of pride for the Indian community. “It seems as if he has brought the whole of India here with him.”
He further said, “The visa fee has increased two to three times in the last three-four years. If there is some relief in this, it would be great for the Indian community. Apart from this, the visa cap has also become a big challenge for Indian students taking admission in Australian universities. If this cap is removed, then Indian students will get a lot of benefit.”
–IANS
DBP