Monday, December 22, 2025
ADVT 
International

Of 'Narendra' and 'Tony', selfies and hugs

Darpan News Desk IANS, 18 Nov, 2014 11:28 AM
    Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Australian counterpart Tony Abbott have built a camaraderie over the past few months, especially the last five days.
     
    The two leaders clicked a selfie together and Abbott referred to Modi with his first name "Narendra", and said he is like a "brother".
     
    During his address to the Australian parliament, Modi also took a playful dig at Abbott, telling lawmakers that making them listen to him - the third head of government in three days to address parliament - was Abbott's way of "shirt-fronting" them.
     
    "I'm the third head of the government you are listening to this week, I do not know how you are doing this! May be, this is Prime Minister Abbott's way of shirt-fronting you," Modi said, to laughter from the lawmakers.
     
    He was referring to Abbott's threat to "shirt-front" Russian President Vladimir Putin at the G20 over the MH17 crash during their face-to-face encounter.
     
    However, when both Abbott and Putin were finally face to face, they indulged in some koala cuddle.
     
    "Shirt-fronting" is a term used in Australian rules football, referring to an aggressive, front-on physical challenge.
     
    Modi and Abbott also took an autographed selfie together, in a mark of their growing friendship, and exchanged warm hugs.
     
     
    "The relationship between the two of us has become very strong, and there is no formality between the two of us," Modi said, at a reception hosted by Abbott in the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
     
    He and Abbott shook hands smiling widely and the Australian prime minister gave him a warm hug.
     
    The two prime ministers then posed for an autographed selfie, smiling and chatting.
     
    The selfie was posted on the Modi's twitter handle, with the words "With my friend @TonyAbbottMHR at the MCG".
     
    He also tweeted: "PM @TonyAbbottMHR came in September. He was the first guest since we formed the Government."
     
    "People asked me isn't it too soon to visit Australia after @TonyAbbottMHR just visited. I said I can't say no to my friend Tony," went the tweet.
     
    Their camaraderie was reflected during the reception at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) where Abbott said Modi is like a "brother".
     
    "Narendra and I," Abbott said on a couple of occasions, while Modi called him "Tony".
     
    Modi is the first Indian prime minister to visit Australia in 28 years after Rajiv Gandhi in 1986.
     
    The two leaders also shared a hug when Abbott welcomed him to the G20 in Brisbane.
     
    Modi visited four cities - Brisbane, Sydney, Canberra and Melbourne - during his five-day visit to Australia.
     
    Abbott was in India in September, the first head of government to pay a bilateral visit to the Modi government which took over in May.

    MORE International ARTICLES

    Indian American officials asked about 'your country','your government'

    Indian American officials asked about 'your country','your government'
    In an extremely awkward incident, a newly elected member of the US House of Representatives mistook two senior Indian American officials of the...

    Indian American officials asked about 'your country','your government'

    Climate change to affect global crop production

    Climate change to affect global crop production
    The world faces a significant risk over the next two decades of a major slowdown in the growth of crop yields because of climate change, new research shows....

    Climate change to affect global crop production

    BMW, Aston Martin to recall defective vehicles

    BMW, Aston Martin to recall defective vehicles
    BMW and Aston Martin Lagonda will recall autos in China over airbag and gearbox problems respectively, China's quality watchdog has said....

    BMW, Aston Martin to recall defective vehicles

    Obama urges Afghan presidential rivals to work together

    Obama urges Afghan presidential rivals to work together
    US President Barack Obama has spoken with the men vying to become Afghanistan's next head of state, encouraging them to follow through with a plan to form...

    Obama urges Afghan presidential rivals to work together

    UN body concerned about impact of Gaza violence on women

    UN body concerned about impact of Gaza violence on women
    The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Friday expressed its deep concern about the impact of the ongoing Gaza conflict on women's health and access to safe...

    UN body concerned about impact of Gaza violence on women

    Russian 'gecko sex' satellite lost in space

    Russian 'gecko sex' satellite lost in space
    A Russian satellite with a crew of five lizards sent in space to understand the effects of weightlessness on sexual intercourse has gone missing.

    Russian 'gecko sex' satellite lost in space