Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Melbourne, where he addressed a crowd of about 30,000 people — mostly members of the Indian diaspora — at Marvel Stadium, celebrating what he called the enduring "Indianness" of the community. The visit coincided with the signing of a uranium deal with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, underscoring deepening ties between the two nations, though the article focuses chiefly on the celebratory rally rather than the agreement's terms.

Modi told the enthusiastic audience that the spirit of India was alive across the city, pointing to community markets full of colour and using imagery of sugar sweetening milk and tea "made the Indian way" to describe the diaspora's contribution. Albanese joined Modi on stage, welcoming him as "a very dear friend" and noting that around one million Australians can trace their roots to India. The Australian leader also recalled spending six weeks backpacking through India in 1991, praising the warmth and generosity he encountered there.