Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese have reaffirmed their commitment to expanding the India–Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, with both countries announcing a series of initiatives aimed at strengthening cooperation in clean energy, critical minerals, infrastructure, trade and investment.
During the bilateral talks held in Melbourne as part of Prime Minister Modi’s three-nation tour, the two leaders identified the energy transition as a key pillar of future cooperation. They agreed to enhance collaboration in renewable energy, green hydrogen, battery supply chains and critical minerals, recognising the growing importance of these sectors in supporting global decarbonisation and energy security. Australia, which possesses significant reserves of critical minerals, is expected to play an important role in supporting India’s clean energy ambitions and expanding manufacturing capabilities for emerging technologies.
A major outcome of the summit was the signing of an administrative arrangement enabling the export of Australian uranium for India’s civilian nuclear energy programme. The agreement operationalises the civil nuclear cooperation framework between the two countries and is expected to support India’s long-term target of expanding nuclear power generation while adhering to international safeguards.
The two leaders also emphasised the need to strengthen economic ties by encouraging greater investment in infrastructure, advanced manufacturing, digital technologies and resilient supply chains. Prime Minister Modi invited Australian businesses and institutional investors to increase their participation in India’s infrastructure and energy sectors, highlighting the country’s strong economic growth and expanding investment opportunities. Australian institutional investor AustralianSuper also announced an additional investment in India’s National Investment and Infrastructure Fund (NIIF), reinforcing growing investor confidence in the Indian market.
Apart from economic cooperation, India and Australia agreed to deepen collaboration in defence, maritime security and the Indo-Pacific region. Both sides reiterated their commitment to maintaining a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific while expanding cooperation in maritime domain awareness, defence capability development and regional security initiatives.
Prime Minister Modi described India and Australia as “natural and trusted partners” capable of driving sustainable growth amid global economic uncertainties. He noted that stronger cooperation in clean energy, critical minerals, technology and infrastructure would contribute to resilient supply chains and create long-term economic opportunities for both countries.
The Australia visit forms the second leg of Prime Minister Modi’s three-nation tour, following Indonesia and preceding New Zealand, underscoring India’s continued focus on strengthening strategic partnerships across the Indo-Pacific region.
