Indian Diaspora, Now the Largest Foreign

When Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India took the stage before tens of thousands of cheering supporters in Australia on Thursday, it was a display of his global political outreach.

His presence also threw a spotlight on a major demographic shift: Indian-born residents have officially overtaken those born in Britain to become Australia’s largest diaspora group.

That diaspora was out in full force on Thursday, as Mr. Modi walked out onto the floor of a Melbourne arena to thunderous applause and chants of his name. The venue was three times the size of one he had appeared at on his last visit, in 2023. A special flight called the “Modi Express” was chartered to ferry attendees from Sydney.

It was a display of the power of Mr. Modi and his conservative Hindu-first Bharatiya Janata Party, which has actively nurtured ties with Indians overseas, drawing political and financial support from them.

The gathering unfolded against a complicated political backdrop, as Australia navigates a backlash over migration and Mr. Modi faces ongoing international criticism for his suppression of minorities at home.

Amit Sarwal, an academic and a founder of the Indian Australian online publication The Australia Today, said the welcome given to Mr. Modi was the proud roar of a community coming into its own.

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