Sydney’s Lowy Institute became the stage for Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney’s heartfelt tribute to PM Narendra Modi’s leadership prowess. Carney didn’t hold back, describing Modi as a ‘unique and highly disciplined leader’ who juggles a packed political calendar with unwavering focus on ordinary citizens.
Reflecting on their meetings, Carney was awestruck by Modi’s stamina: 25 years without a single leave day in public office. ‘His political outreach is immense—weekly campaigns pull in a quarter-million supporters per rally,’ he shared, underscoring Modi’s nationwide appeal.
Carney spotlighted the governance philosophy driving India’s reforms. From plugging public spending leaks via DBT to revolutionizing payments with UPI, these changes aim to deliver real-time benefits directly to people, formalizing the economy for crores. ‘Modi emphasizes outcomes for everyone, from villagers to the urban poor,’ he observed.
The Canadian leader was particularly struck by Modi’s dual role: a global statesman advancing India’s ascent and a hands-on administrator addressing daily woes. Carney credited India’s prescient strategy—from post-1947 non-alignment to navigating current world realignments—saying, ‘Why did it take the world so long to catch up?’
On bilateral fronts, Carney outlined opportunities in AI and strategic tech, stressing the need for adaptable partnerships. Despite challenges, he highlighted 11 months of economic and security gains. ‘Canada wants deeper ties with India,’ Carney asserted, painting an optimistic path forward for Ottawa-New Delhi relations amid evolving global dynamics.