Thousands chanted "Modi, Modi, Modi" as Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi took the stage to speak on Wednesday night in Toronto.
Modi was welcomed to the Ricoh Coliseum stage by Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper and his wife, Laureen. 
Modi and the crowd sang along with India's anthem, and many kept singing during the Canadian anthem as well. Before beginning his speech, Modi received a lengthy standing ovation. 

"There's a new joy in India" Modi said, winning more cheers from the crowd.
  • Modi arrived in Toronto around 3 p.m., after taking a special Air India flight from Ottawa along with Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper.
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Throughout his speech, Modi spoke about his plans to improve India. "The path to development is the only solution that is going to take India forward," he said.
Modi said his development goals include increasing the number of skilled workers in the country and growing the number of entrepreneurs. Indians, he said, should be creating jobs instead of seeking them.
He also talked about improving India's perception, saying he wants it to go from "scam India" to "skill India."
Modi spoke in a conversational tone from a stage that slowly rotated so the entire crowd could see his face at some point.
He also took time to praise Canada. 
"I won't be able to forget the love that has been extended by Canada," Modi said, in translation.
The leader, who swept to power last May, thanks Canada for becoming a trade partner with India's Gujarat state, where he was chief minister at the time.
He also praised the crowd, which he described as "brothers and sisters" for their contributions to Canadian society. 
As he introduced Modi, Harper called the visit "historic" and described the Indian prime minister as "a long friend to Canada, and we to him."
Harper was also greeted with a huge roar from predominately Indo-Canadian audience when he announced Modi's agreement to issue visas to Canadian travellers upon their arrival in India. 
"They told me that would be popular," Harper said, laughing.