Saturday, December 20, 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

    Mayor shot dead by his wife in Los Angeles county

    Mayor shot dead by his wife in Los Angeles county
    Mayor of Bell Gardens, a town in Los Angeles county, Daniel Crespo died after his wife shot him several times during a domestic dispute, media reported Wednesday.....

    Mayor shot dead by his wife in Los Angeles county

    Dalai Lama: At 79, Living With Values And Hope

    Dalai Lama: At 79, Living With Values And Hope
    Revered by the Tibetans as a 'living god' and idolised in both the Orient and the West, the Dalai Lama, known for his simplicity and typical jovial style, transcends all barriers of religion, language and even distances.

    Dalai Lama: At 79, Living With Values And Hope

    Modi Meets Obama: New confidence, new excitement in India-US ties

    Modi Meets Obama: New confidence, new excitement in India-US ties
    Prime Minister Narendra Modi Tuesday said there is “new confidence and new excitement” in the India-US relationship and said that both sides need to work to bring down the difference in their energy systems -- “120 volts (US) and 220 volts (India)” -- to bring them together.

    Modi Meets Obama: New confidence, new excitement in India-US ties

    'Chalein saath saath', US tells India

    'Chalein saath saath', US tells India
    Once shunned by America, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was the guest of honour at a private dinner hosted by US President Barack Obama ahead...

    'Chalein saath saath', US tells India

    Hamas wants Islamic state on all Palestinian lands

    Hamas wants Islamic state on all Palestinian lands
    A senior Hamas official announced Tuesday that his movement still believes in establishing an Islamic state on all the lands of Palestine.

    Hamas wants Islamic state on all Palestinian lands

    Modi pays homage to symbols of peace, equality, unity

    Modi pays homage to symbols of peace, equality, unity
    Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi Tuesday paid homage to three memorials symbolising peace, equality and unity dedicated to Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jr. and Abraham Lincoln.,,,

    Modi pays homage to symbols of peace, equality, unity