Tuesday, December 23, 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

    Why is the world in grip of jehadist menace?

    Why is the world in grip of jehadist menace?
    Three momentous events, all in November-December 1979, are the genesis of a great deal of chaos the world faces today.

    Why is the world in grip of jehadist menace?

    US warns of terror attack at Uganda airport

    US warns of terror attack at Uganda airport
    The US has warned its citizens in Uganda of a possible terror attack at the country's Entebbe International Airport in capital Kampala.

    US warns of terror attack at Uganda airport

    500 pro-democracy protestors arrested in Hong Kong

    500 pro-democracy protestors arrested in Hong Kong
    More than 500 protestors were arrested in Hong Kong early Wednesday for participating in an all-night sit-in, after hundreds of thousands of people marched in the city to demand universal suffrage.

    500 pro-democracy protestors arrested in Hong Kong

    Former French president Sarkozy charged with corruption

    Former French president Sarkozy charged with corruption
    Former French president Nicolas Sarkozy was charged Wednesday with influence peddling and corruption after being questioned by judiciary police for 15 hours.

    Former French president Sarkozy charged with corruption

    India among 193 countries spied on by US, BJP fumes

    India among 193 countries spied on by US, BJP fumes
    India is among 193 countries "concerning" whom the US National Security Agency (NSA) has been authorised to intercept information by the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court, according to a new report.

    India among 193 countries spied on by US, BJP fumes

    6.2-magnitude quake hits off Japan's Bonin Islands

    6.2-magnitude quake hits off Japan's Bonin Islands
    An earthquake measuring 6.2 on the Richter scale jolted Bonin Islands in the Japan region early Tuesday, the US Geological Survey said.

    6.2-magnitude quake hits off Japan's Bonin Islands