India and Australia on Thursday agreed to accelerate negotiations on a Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA), signed a landmark nuclear cooperation arrangement enabling Australian uranium supplies to India, and unveiled a series of new initiatives to strengthen cooperation in defence, clean energy, critical minerals and emerging technologies.
Addressing a joint press conference with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese after the third India-Australia Annual Summit in Melbourne, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the partnership between the two countries is “not just for the present, but also for the future,” underscoring the growing strategic convergence between the two democracies.
PM Modi thanked Albanese for the warm welcome and praised his personal commitment to elevating bilateral ties. He said India and Australia, as vibrant democracies, multicultural societies and major Indo-Pacific powers, are bound by shared values and a common vision that continues to deepen mutual trust.
The Prime Minister said the Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA), signed in 2022, has significantly expanded trade and investment between the two countries. Building on its success, both sides have agreed to expedite negotiations on a balanced and ambitious Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA). The two leaders also decided to move forward on a Bilateral Investment Treaty to further strengthen economic engagement.
Highlighting cooperation in clean energy, PM Modi said the India-Australia Renewable Energy Partnership is driving collaboration in renewable energy, climate action, investment and technology transfer. He announced that the two countries have jointly established a Rooftop Solar Training Academy in Gujarat to support the PM Surya Ghar Yojana and build capacity among women and youth.
A major outcome of the summit was the signing of an agreement in the nuclear energy sector, which will enable the supply of Australian uranium to India for peaceful purposes. PM Modi said the agreement would provide fresh momentum to India’s clean energy ambitions.
The two countries also launched the Australia-India Partnership on Cyber, Critical Technologies and Supply Chains (AI-PACTS) and agreed to work together on a Critical Minerals Corridor, recognising the strategic importance of critical minerals for clean energy technologies and resilient supply chains.
On defence and security, PM Modi announced that India and Australia had adopted a Joint Declaration to further strengthen bilateral defence cooperation. He said both sides would establish an India-Australia Defence Innovation Corridor to foster collaboration between defence industries and start-ups, while the newly announced Maritime Security Collaboration Roadmap would deepen cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, including in shipbuilding, ship repair and maritime maintenance.
The Prime Minister said discussions also covered key regional and global developments, with both leaders reaffirming their shared commitment to combating terrorism. He said India and Australia view terrorism as a challenge to all humanity and pledged to further strengthen bilateral cooperation in counter-terrorism efforts.
PM Modi also emphasised that ongoing conflicts in different parts of the world can only be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy. He said both countries would continue working together to promote peace, stability, freedom of navigation and a rules-based order across the Indo-Pacific.
Describing people-to-people ties as the foundation of the bilateral relationship, PM Modi noted the growing contribution of the Indian diaspora to Australia’s economy and society. He welcomed the expansion of Australian university campuses in India, saying it marked a new chapter in educational cooperation and would strengthen exchanges among students, professionals and researchers.
Referring to Melbourne as the sporting capital of the world, PM Modi also highlighted the role of sports in strengthening bilateral ties. He noted that with India and Australia set to host major global sporting events, including the Commonwealth Games and the Olympic Games, there would be significant opportunities for collaboration in sports infrastructure and sports development.
Using a cricket analogy to describe the relationship, PM Modi said that the agenda of the summit had been “as focused as a One-Day International,” decisions were taken “as fast as a T20 match,” while the partnership itself was “as long and deep as a Test match.”
Concluding his remarks, PM Modi said the discussions reflected a clear message that the India-Australia partnership is built for the future, expressing confidence that both countries would continue advancing their shared vision across strategic, economic and people-centric areas. He also invited Prime Minister Albanese to visit India at the earliest opportunity.
