Modi at Melbourne Marvel Stadium: 30,000 cheer PM at 'Melbourne Meets Modi'
Synopsis
Nearly 30,000 members of the Indian diaspora turned Marvel Stadium into a sea of tricolours and chants of 'Modi, Modi' on 9 July — what Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan called one of the largest gatherings ever for any world leader in Australia. The scale of the reception signals the growing diplomatic and soft-power weight of the Indian community in Victoria.
Key Takeaways
Nearly 30,000 people attended the 'Melbourne Meets Modi' event at Marvel Stadium on 9 July .
Prime Minister Narendra Modi was accompanied by Australian PM Anthony Albanese at the community event.
Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan described it as one of the largest gatherings ever for any world leader in Australia.
Victoria is home to more Australian Indians than any other state, according to Allan.
The event featured cultural performances, chants of 'Bharat Mata ki Jai' , and both Indian and Australian flags across the venue.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi received a thunderous welcome at Melbourne's Marvel Stadium on Thursday, 9 July, as nearly 30,000 members of the Indian diaspora packed the venue for the 'Melbourne Meets Modi' event, chanting 'Modi, Modi' and 'Bharat Mata ki Jai' in what Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan described as one of the largest gatherings ever held for any world leader in Australia.
Modi arrived alongside Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, drawing a deafening roar from the crowd the moment he stepped into the stadium. Indian tricolours and Australian flags filled the arena, underscoring the deep people-to-people ties between the two nations.
Allan's Address Sets the Tone
Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan opened proceedings with a speech that drew sustained applause. 'It is my honour to welcome you to Melbourne and to Victoria. We are the education state, the multicultural capital of Australia and the sporting capital of the world. Yes, we are the home of the MCG and the Boxing Day Test. But, much more importantly than that, we are home to more Australian Indians than anywhere else in the country... Nearly 30,000 people filling the stadium — this is a statement,' she said.
Allan's remarks highlighted Victoria's status as Australia's hub for the Indian community, and the crowd's response underscored that point emphatically.
Electric Atmosphere Before Modi's Arrival
Well before the prime ministers took to the podium, the venue was already alive with cultural performances, music, and energetic chanting as thousands waited for Modi's arrival. The event was carefully curated to reflect the vibrancy of the Indian diaspora, with the programme blending Indian cultural elements with the distinctly Australian setting of Marvel Stadium.
Members of the Indian community shared their anticipation ahead of the address. 'Literally going to be history in the making right here in the heart of Melbourne,' said one attendee. 'I am very, very excited today, and I cannot wait to see Modi ji. Melbourne meets Modi,' said another. A third described Modi as 'the man behind the incredible India today, who shaped India in many ways and made great decisions.'
Significance of the Turnout
The scale of the reception is notable: Marvel Stadium, which has hosted some of Australia's most iconic sporting and entertainment events, was filled to near capacity. The event reflects the growing political and cultural weight of the Indian diaspora in Victoria, which is home to the largest concentration of Australian Indians in the country.
This comes amid a broader strengthening of India-Australia bilateral ties, with both nations deepening cooperation on trade, defence, and education in recent years. The optics of Albanese appearing alongside Modi before tens of thousands of Indian-origin Australians carries clear diplomatic significance for both governments.
What Comes Next
Modi's visit to Melbourne forms part of a wider Australia engagement, with bilateral meetings and strategic discussions expected to follow the community event. The enthusiasm on display at Marvel Stadium is likely to add momentum to ongoing India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership talks, with diaspora diplomacy increasingly recognised as a soft-power asset by New Delhi.
Point of View
And both Canberra and New Delhi know it. Albanese's decision to appear alongside Modi before 30,000 Indian-origin voters in an election-sensitive state is as much a domestic political calculation as it is a bilateral gesture. For Modi, the optics reinforce a consistent foreign-policy playbook: large diaspora events generate global images of popularity that translate into soft power at the negotiating table. The question is whether the warmth in the stadium translates into concrete deliverables — on trade, migration pathways, or the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership — that actually benefit the communities cheering in the stands.
NationPress
9 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the 'Melbourne Meets Modi' event?
'Melbourne Meets Modi' was a large community reception held at Marvel Stadium in Melbourne on 9 July, organised to welcome Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his Australia visit. Nearly 30,000 members of the Indian diaspora attended, making it one of the largest gatherings ever for a visiting world leader in Australia.
Who attended the Melbourne Modi event alongside the Indian PM?
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese accompanied Modi at the event. Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan also addressed the crowd before the two leaders took to the podium.
Why is Victoria significant for the Indian diaspora in Australia?
Victoria, and Melbourne in particular, is home to the largest concentration of Australian Indians in the country, as noted by Premier Jacinta Allan in her address. This makes it a key hub for India-Australia people-to-people ties.
What did Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan say at the event?
Allan welcomed Modi and Albanese, calling Melbourne the multicultural capital of Australia and noting that Victoria is home to more Australian Indians than any other state. She called the near-30,000-strong turnout 'a statement.'
How does this event fit into India-Australia relations?
The Melbourne reception is part of Modi's broader Australia engagement aimed at deepening the India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, which covers trade, defence, and education. The diaspora event adds a soft-power dimension to the bilateral agenda.
