Highlights
- Prime Minister Scott Morrison wishes India on its Independence Day
- Mr Morrisons said Australia is keen to welcome back its Indian friends, international students and residents
- He also acknowledged India's efforts in providing critical COVID-19 vaccinations across the Indo-Pacific
In his message, the prime minister acknowledged India's countless achievements over the decades.
"India’s growth and development has helped to realise the economic aspirations of millions of its citizens. Today, India is a proud democracy," Mr Morrison said in his special message to the diaspora in Australia.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison speaks to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the 2020 Virtual Leaders Summit on June 4, 2020. Source: AAP/Lukas Coch
"The intense pain of separation has been felt by Australians of Indian descent."
Australia keen to welcome back Indian friends, family, students and residents: PM
He added that Australia is looking forward with "hope and confidence" to welcome back more of its Indian friends, family, international students and residents when the borders reopen.
"When that day arrives, Australians will extend welcome and maitri as more of our Indian friends, family, students and residents return to our shore.
"Our maitri endures because we have so much in common. As proud democracies, we are bound by a commitment to respect, responsibility and the rule of law. We believe that the dignity of our people lies at the heart of who we are," the prime minister said in his message.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison full message:
Snapshot of Prime Minister Scott Morrison's message on India's Independence Day. Source: PMO
"The celebrations have added meaning as we begin a year-long celebration leading up to the 75th anniversary of your Independence," he wrote in his message.
Labor leader Anthony Albanese Source: AAP
In the wake of the ongoing health crisis, Mr Albanese acknowledged that Independence Day celebrations would be subdued this year, but he wrote that he was hopeful that the situation would stabilise soon.
"The celebrations of this momentous anniversary will be subdued – even more so for the great many of us who are thinking of family and loved ones across the seas. There is a new tyranny of distance, but I have every hope that it will soon be behind us," Mr Albanese wrote in his message.
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