Melbourne: Narendra Modi will be the first Indian Prime Minister to address the gallery of Australian Member of Parliamentarians and leaders at a special joint sitting of Federal Parliament after he attends the G20 leaders' Summit in Brisbane in November.
Labour Senator from Tasmania Lisa Singh said Modi's speech in Hindi would mean he was bringing in respect, culture and strengths of India to Australia.
“I think it shows that he is bringing the respect, the culture and strengths of India to Australia. And I think it is important that he makes this journey to our country,” she said.
“Addressing our Parliament is incredibly dignified moment. I don't mind which language he addresses our Parliament,” she added.
“I think if it gives more respect to Indian diaspora to address them in Hindi then he should do so. He has been doing so in other parts of the world and he is someone who recognises that India is a unique country and for its uniqueness I can understand that he wants to speak in his native tongue,” she further said.
“As Australians we should respect that,” Singh opined.
Other leaders who would also address the special sitting are British PM David Cameron and Chinese President Xi Jinping.
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