Thousands Cheer India's Prime Minister Modi During Toronto Visit

TORONTO:There are politicians, and then there are leaders.

And it was clear to anyone who was at the Ricoh Coliseum Wednesday night that India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi is a leader.

Hours before Modi was expected to arrive, thousands were lined up in order to see the man who has captivated not just a nation, but the world.

Despite turning those without tickets away, there were empty seats in the crowd as Prime Minister Stephen Harper introduced Modi to cheers.

Harper applauded Canada’s relationship with India, both through trade and immigration, in a brief speech he made before introducing the man thousands had come to see.

“Canada’s special relationship” to India is, “strong because of you,” Harper said, pointing to the crowd.

Modi had undeniable charisma. It was as much a performance as a diplomatic speech. The crowd frequently interrupted him to chant his name, and laughed at every joke.

When he mentioned Thursday is his last day in Canada – he’s headed to Vancouver after Toronto – the crowd booed.

Modi, too, recognized the role that the Indian diaspora has played abroad.

“Indians who have settled in Canada ... have actually made a significant contribution to India,” he said.

But it was Modi’s pride in his country, and his hopes for its future, that dominated the topic of the night.

The solution to the country’s problems, Modi said, is simple: “Development.”

And what was apparent was not just the strides his country has made, but the distance it still has to go.

He applauded the uranium trade deal, and Canada’s potash exports, which help Indian farmers.

“India has formidable strength, you only need opportunities,” Modi said to cheers from the crowd.

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