The World Punjabi Organisation (WPO), under the leadership of its international president, Vikramjit Singh Sahney, on Friday extended support to the Indian diaspora's engagements during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's landmark visit to Australia and New Zealand. To commemorate the visit, he facilitated prominent media outreach, including major advertorials in The Herald Sun (Australia) and two full-page special supplements in The New Zealand Herald, highlighting the Prime Minister's visit and the growing India-Australia and India-New Zealand partnerships.
Rajya Sabha member Sahney said in a statement that PM Modi's visit has not only strengthened India's bond with its vibrant diaspora but has also advanced strategic cooperation in trade, investment, technology and critical minerals, opening new avenues for deeper economic partnership and people-to-people engagement.
He said the WPO remains committed to further strengthening India's enduring ties with the global Punjabi diaspora. Australia is home to over 1.3 lakh people of Punjabi ancestry, while New Zealand hosts a vibrant and growing Punjabi community that continues to make significant contributions to both nations' economic, cultural and social development.
A major highlight of the visit was the Melbourne Meets Modi community reception at Marvel Stadium, where nearly 30,000 members of the Indian diaspora gathered in a grand celebration attended by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan.
In New Zealand, the Kia Ora Modi community reception at Spark Arena in Auckland witnessed an enthusiastic turnout from the Indian community in the presence of New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, reaffirming the strong people-to-people ties between the two nations.
The WPO local chapters, led by J.S. Uppal, WPO Patron and President of Guru Nanak Gurdwara, Melbourne, and Kamaljeet Bakshi, WPO Patron and former Member of Parliament of New Zealand, together with Ranjay Sikka and community volunteers, played a pivotal role in the successful organisation of the events.