Indian diaspora wants PM Modi to hear them out

New Delhi, Nov 15: As Prime Minister Narendra Modi readies to address people from India in Sydney, the Indian diaspora wants him to keep their wishes and concerns in mind while engaging in diplomacy with the Australian leadership. From dual citizenship to simplifying visas for elderly parents or opening branches of Indian banks in Australia to fast-tracking free trade agreements, Indians living in Australia appreciate that Modi wants to address what actually concerns them. During his five-day Australia visit, the first by an Indian prime minister in 28 years after Rajiv Gandhi, Modi recently expressed a desire on Twitter to hear from the Indian diaspora about their concerns. Chirag Trivedi, a member of the Australia India Business Council management committee, told IANS over phone that if the Indian government facilitates multiple visas for a longer duration, like a 10-year period on the lines of the US and Canada, it will reduce expenses and ease the process of documentation and other things like medical tests. Modi, who is visiting Australia within three months of Abbott's visit to India as prime minister, reached Brisbane Nov 14 and is scheduled to cover Sydney, Canberra and Melbourne during his four-day trip.