Indian supporters in Brisbane chant 'Modi' slogans as he arrives to unveil Gandhi statue

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Supporters of Prime Minister Narendra Modi gathered today at Brisbane's Roma Park Street to greet him as soon he arrived to unveil a statue of Mahatma Gandhi.

"Prime Minister Modi is the best you can get. We want him for 10-15 more years. We have come to see him," said a supporter.

"We have to come here for the visionary of India. He has got a nice projection for the future and the kind of dominance we can see of India in the entire world now, added another supporter from Pune.

The supporters further described him as a good leader, and one who likes the youth very much.

Earlier, former honorary Indian consul in Brisbane Parsram Punj said he was honoured to be participating in unveiling of the Mahatma Gandhi statue alongwith Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the city.

He further said Prime Minister Modi had expressed his desire to commemorate the Gandhi statue in the city during a visit to the honorary consul in 2001.

Meanwhile, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) official spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin tweeted, "Happy to announce a bridge will be named after Mahatma Gandhi in Springfield: The programme organisers during the programme."

"Sea of raised hands signal that the long wait is over. Welcome PM @narendramodi at 1st post G-20 event," He further added in his tweet.

People are betting on Prime Minister Modi's visit to Australia to strengthen ties with the near 300,000-strong Indian Diaspora in the country, with a friendly tax regime for non-residents and options for dual citizenship on the wish list.

The Prime Minister is expected to draw 16,000 people to his rally in Sydney on Monday while 270 people have booked on the "Modi Express" train for fans, which will run from Melbourne to Sydney.

He is also expected to meet 200 prominent Indian businessmen, entrepreneurs and students in Sydney.

Earlier today, Prime Minister Modi met German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud during the ongoing G-20 Summit.

He is also scheduled to have a meeting with the Spanish Prime Minister later in the day.

Yesterday, Prime Minister Modi had met the BRICS leaders and also had one-on-one interactions with leaders from France, Canada and other leaders of G-20 nations.

After attending the G-20 Summit in Brisbane, Prime Minister Modi is scheduled to travel to Sydney, where he will attend a reception organized by and for the Indian Diaspora.

Prime Minister Modi will then travel to Canberra and address the special joint sitting of the Australian Parliament on November 18. He will also address an Indian community event in Melbourne before travelling to Fiji.

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