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

    Research questions satellite data over Antarctic sea expansion

    Research questions satellite data over Antarctic sea expansion
    The Antarctic sea ice may not be expanding as fast as previously thought, a new research suggests, adding that there may be a processing error in the satellite data...

    Research questions satellite data over Antarctic sea expansion

    N-talks extension sign of political will: Iran

    N-talks extension sign of political will: Iran
    The extension of talks on Iran's nuclear programme is an indication of a "political will" on both sides toward reaching a final agreement, an Iranian official said Wednesday....

    N-talks extension sign of political will: Iran

    China seals McDonald's, KFC supplies after scandal

    China seals McDonald's, KFC supplies after scandal
    Authorities in China have rushed to seal up suspicious meat products in fast food chains, including McDonald's and KFC, after one of their suppliers was accused of selling stale meat....

    China seals McDonald's, KFC supplies after scandal

    Obama affirms strong ties with Britain

    Obama affirms strong ties with Britain
    US President Barack Obama and Ed Miliband, leader of the British opposition Labour Party, Monday affirmed the strong ties that bind the US and Britain, the White...

    Obama affirms strong ties with Britain

    MH17 crash: Accusations against Russia groundless, says diplomat

    MH17 crash: Accusations against Russia groundless, says diplomat
    Russian Ambassador to Malaysia Lyudmila G. Vorobyeva Tuesday dismissed as groundless accusations of Russia's involvement in the Malaysian passenger plane crash in Ukraine....

    MH17 crash: Accusations against Russia groundless, says diplomat

    Ceasefire 'not enough' for durable Middle East peace: UN chief

    Ceasefire 'not enough' for durable Middle East peace: UN chief
    UN Secretary- General Ban Ki-moon arrived in Cairo Monday in a bid to push for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, which he stressed was "not enough" for a durable...

    Ceasefire 'not enough' for durable Middle East peace: UN chief