Sunday, December 21, 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

    Suspect in Los Angeles-area shootings that killed 3, injured 4 detained following standoff

    Suspect in Los Angeles-area shootings that killed 3, injured 4 detained following standoff
    LOS ANGELES, Calif. - A suspect in a series of shootings that killed three people and injured four others within the span of an hour in the Los Angeles area...

    Suspect in Los Angeles-area shootings that killed 3, injured 4 detained following standoff

    British Indian killer mom jailed for 11 years

    British Indian killer mom jailed for 11 years
    A British Indian woman, who battered her three-year-old son to death in Scotland, was Monday jailed for 11 years, a media report said....

    British Indian killer mom jailed for 11 years

    Pakistan cleric leading anti-government rally warns premier of 48-hour deadline to step down

    Pakistan cleric leading anti-government rally warns premier of 48-hour deadline to step down
    ISLAMABAD - A Pakistani cleric leading a mass anti-government rally in front of parliament issued a 48-hour deadline Monday for the country's prime...

    Pakistan cleric leading anti-government rally warns premier of 48-hour deadline to step down

    French PM Manuel Valls resigns

    French PM Manuel Valls resigns
    French PM Manuel Valls Monday submitted the government's resignation to President Francois Hollande who has asked him to form a new cabinet...

    French PM Manuel Valls resigns

    US says American held in Syria for nearly 2 years by al-Qaida-linked group has been freed

    US says American held in Syria for nearly 2 years by al-Qaida-linked group has been freed
    An American journalist kidnapped and held hostage for nearly two years by an al-Qaida-linked group in Syria was released Sunday, less than a week after the horrific...

    US says American held in Syria for nearly 2 years by al-Qaida-linked group has been freed

    LAPD: 3 dead in separate attacks around Los Angeles within 1 hour; shootings may be related

    LAPD: 3 dead in separate attacks around Los Angeles within 1 hour; shootings may be related
    SAN FERNANDO, Calif. - Three people were fatally shot and two others injured early Sunday in three separate attacks within the span of an hour in the northern suburbs of Los Angeles. The attacks could be related, police said.

    LAPD: 3 dead in separate attacks around Los Angeles within 1 hour; shootings may be related