Sydney suburb gets Little India plaque during Modi's visit
A Sydney suburb well known for its Indian population has been recognised by their country's Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to Australia.
A Little India plaque has been unveiled as the gateway to Harris Park after a push from locals to have the western Sydney area renamed.
"In recognition of the important contributions of the Indian diaspora to Australia's rich multicultural society, the leaders unveiled a plaque for the foundation stone of a 'Little India' gateway for Harris Park," Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said in a statement.
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Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi meet at Admiralty House in Sydney for bilateral talks. Janie Barrett
The name isn't official yet but the plaque is a push for Paramatta City Council to potentially make it permanent later this year.
In Harris Park, 45.4 per cent of the suburb's population (2,288 people) were born in India and 46.9 per cent (2,363 people) practice Hinduism, according to the 2021 Census.
A smaller but substantial number of those living in the suburb come from Nepal.
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Modi had a rockstar welcome at Homebush's Qudos Bank Arena. Wolter Peeters
When the data was collected, only 961 people who lived in Harris Park were born in Australia.
Albanese and Modi this morning signed documents committing to a new migration agreement as well as a partnership on green hydrogen.
"The Australia-India relationship is already strong but we both see potential for growth and an opportunity to shape a better future for our region," Albanese said.
Protestors demonstrated outside of Admiralty House as Modi was accused of condoning violence against Muslims during the Gujarat riots in 2002 but was later cleared.
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Modi had a rockstar welcome at Homebush's Qudos Bank Arena as more than 20,000 people attended Australia's Indian diaspora last night.
He used the state to announce the establishment of a new centre for Australia- India relations in Sydney's west.
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