India’s Defence Minister, Rajnath Singh, visited the BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir in Rosehill, Sydney, on Friday, where he was warmly welcomed by children singing devotional hymns and chants.
Singh performed aarti at the temple and offered prayers for peace and global harmony.
Accompanied by Gopal Baglay, High Commissioner of India to Australia, and Dr. S. Janakiraman, Consul General of India, Singh participated in a vedic puja and addressed the Indian diaspora, highlighting the role of mandirs in inspiring dharma and sharing the teachings of Pramukh Swami Maharaj and Mahant Swami Maharaj with the world.
Speaking to the community, Singh said,
“I arrived here the day before yesterday, and yesterday I had fruitful meetings with the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister, and the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Australia. The discussions were very productive and meaningful.”
Singh expressed his admiration for the community’s respect for both India and Australia, noting the children’s performance of the national anthems of both countries.
Singh also highlighted India’s growing global stature.
“There was a time when India was considered a poor nation struggling with unemployment. But now, the country is progressing rapidly and moving forward with confidence and positivity.”
Singh added that during his meeting with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, the Prime Minister praised India’s rapid pace of development and progress.
Singh’s two-day official visit to Sydney also included meetings in Canberra with Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles, where key defence agreements were signed to deepen strategic engagement and enhance interoperability between India and Australia’s forces.
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