'Make in India' now a global brand, defence platforms winning global trust: PM Modi in Melbourne
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said the government's flagship Make in India initiative has evolved into a global brand over the past 12 years, while India's indigenous defence platforms have earned international credibility, with Operation Sindoor demonstrating the country's growing military capability.
Addressing a packed Indian diaspora gathering at the Melbourne Meets Modi community event during his Australia visit, Modi said India's manufacturing strength now extends across sectors ranging from electronics and automobiles to pharmaceuticals and defence.
"Over the past 12 years, 'Make in India' has evolved into a global brand. Our mobile phones and electronics have reached markets across the globe. Our automobiles and pharmaceutical products have expanded their global footprint," Modi said.
He said the rising global demand for Indian-made products reflects the country's expanding manufacturing capabilities and reinforces India's position as an emerging global production hub. According to the Prime Minister, the government's focus on domestic manufacturing has strengthened both economic growth and strategic self-reliance.
Linking India's industrial growth with its defence capabilities, Modi said the world had witnessed the credibility of India's indigenous military platforms during Operation Sindoor.
"The world is witnessing the capability and credibility of India's defence platforms. You must have seen a demonstration of this during Operation Sindoor. The explosions were taking place at terrorist hideouts, but their echoes were heard across the entire world," he said.
Operation Sindoor was launched by the Indian Armed Forces in May 2025 following the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam that killed 26 people, mostly tourists. The operation involved coordinated precision strikes on terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan.
The Prime Minister also highlighted India's growing innovation ecosystem, saying the country has become the world's third-largest startup ecosystem over the past decade. He added that an Indian space startup is preparing to launch a satellite using its own rocket for the first time, underscoring the country's technological progress.
Modi welcomed the deepening India-Australia partnership in education and innovation, noting that Deakin University and the University of Wollongong have already established campuses in India, with more Australian universities expected to follow.
Calling the Indian diaspora a key driver of bilateral ties, Modi said this was his third visit to Australia in 12 years, reflecting the rapid expansion of the India-Australia relationship.
He also highlighted India's humanitarian assistance efforts across the world, saying the country extends support without discrimination during natural disasters and crises. "When India extends a helping hand, it does not look at passports; when India sends aid, it does not look at the colour of the passport. That is why the world places such great trust in India," he said.
The event, attended by tens of thousands of members of the Indian diaspora, was one of the largest gatherings addressed by any political leader in Australia. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Victoria Premier Jacinta Allan also addressed the audience, reaffirming the growing strategic and people-to-people ties between the two countries.