- Leaders aim to accelerate trade, strengthen Indo-Pacific stability.
India and Australia have unveiled a series of strategic agreements spanning civil nuclear energy, defence, maritime security, cybersecurity and critical technologies, marking a major step forward in bilateral ties. The announcements came after Prime Minister Narendra Modi held wide-ranging talks with his Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese in Melbourne during the second leg of his three-nation tour.
Civil Nuclear Deal Opens Door For Australian Uranium Exports
One of the key outcomes of the meeting was an agreement to operationalise civil nuclear cooperation, paving the way for commercial uranium exports from Australia to India under the India-Australia Nuclear Cooperation Agreement signed in 2015.
Highlighting the significance of the pact, Modi said, as per reports, “Today, we have signed an important agreement in the field of nuclear energy. This will open the way for uranium supplies from Australia to India and give new impetus to our clean energy objectives.”
The agreement is expected to support India’s expanding nuclear power programme and contribute to its long-term clean energy goals.
ALSO READ: Indian Techie Kills Wife In US, Sends Photo Of Dead Body To Girlfriend
Defence, Maritime Security And Critical Technologies In Focus
The two countries also issued a Joint Declaration on Defence and Security Cooperation aimed at strengthening strategic coordination and enhancing military interoperability.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Australia considers India a key security partner and reaffirmed the shared commitment to maintaining a peaceful, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific region.
The leaders agreed to expand the scale and complexity of joint military exercises, hold regular consultations on Indo-Pacific security and strengthen cooperation in maritime security.
Modi also announced the launch of a new Australia-India Partnership covering cybersecurity, critical technologies and resilient supply chains.
“Our cooperation in critical minerals is vital to our strategic security and clean energy transition. With this in mind, today we have launched the Australia-India Partnership on cyber, critical technologies, and supply chains,” he said.
On defence innovation, Modi added, “Today, we have issued an important Joint Declaration to enhance cooperation in defence and security. Through the India-Australia Defence Innovation Corridor, we will work to connect defence startups and industries.”
ALSO READ: Trump Warns Of Fresh Strikes On Iran, Says US May Hit Again ‘Tonight’, Plans To Take Over Kharg
Space, Technology And Trade Partnerships Expand
India and Australia also agreed to deepen cooperation in science, technology and space exploration.
As part of the partnership, Australia will establish a temporary space tracking facility on the Cocos (Keeling) Islands to provide technical support for India’s Gaganyaan human spaceflight mission.
The meeting also witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on a Technology and Innovation Partnership involving India, Australia and Canada, aimed at promoting collaboration in emerging and critical technologies.
On the economic front, Modi said trade and investment had grown steadily since the India-Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA) came into force in 2022. He said both countries had decided to accelerate negotiations on a Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) to further strengthen commercial ties.
Shared Stand On Terrorism And Indo-Pacific Stability
The two leaders reiterated their commitment to combating terrorism and promoting peace in the Indo-Pacific.
Modi said terrorism remains a challenge for all of humanity and stressed that India and Australia would continue strengthening cooperation against the threat.
He also underlined that ongoing conflicts around the world should be resolved through peaceful means, stating that dialogue and diplomacy remain the most effective route to lasting peace and stability.
The agreements announced during the summit are expected to broaden cooperation across strategic, economic and technological sectors while reinforcing the growing Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between India and Australia.
