Former Australian Prime Minister Abbott Hails India Under PM Modi’s Leadership, Says New Delhi Is Much Widely Heard Today

Commenting on India's standing on the international geopolitical position, former Australian prime minister (PM) Tony Abbott said on Monday (18 November) that India has come a long way from being introspective and its voice is much widely heard on the world stage under PM Narendra Modi's leadership, reports Asian News International (ANI).

Asserting that India was used to take a low-key approach to things despite its colossal size, Abboty said, "Well, I think in an uplifting, decent and humane way, PM Narendra Modi is certainly making India's voice much more widely felt around the world."

Abbott also underscored that if there is one country by the metric of military size and economic potential to have a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), then it is India. The former Australian PM, however, added that he was not certain about the position of the incumbent government in Australia regarding India’s status in the UNSC but personally, he would be very sympathetic to see India on the council.

Presently on a visit to India, Abbott pushed for closer relations between the two democracies and also said that India could be the "next China" in economic sense and that Australia should aid the transition of India into an economic superpower.