India and Australia on Thursday elevated their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with the adoption of a wide-ranging joint statement and a Joint Declaration on Defence and Security Cooperation, outlining an ambitious roadmap to strengthen collaboration across defence, trade, critical technologies, clean energy, education and regional security.
The announcements were made during the Third India-Australia Annual Summit in Melbourne, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to review bilateral ties and chart the next phase of cooperation.
Deepening Defence and Maritime Security Cooperation
Reaffirming their commitment to a free, open, rules-based and prosperous Indo-Pacific, the two leaders described defence and security cooperation as a cornerstone of the bilateral partnership amid an increasingly complex strategic environment.
The leaders announced a Joint Declaration on Defence and Security Cooperation, aimed at significantly expanding the scope and ambition of bilateral defence ties. As part of the initiative, India and Australia agreed to establish an Annual Defence Ministers’ Dialogue and enhance military interoperability through more frequent and complex exercises, exchanges and cooperation under the Mutual Logistics Support Arrangement.
Maritime security emerged as a key focus of the summit, with both countries agreeing to implement an India-Australia Maritime Security Collaboration Roadmap. The roadmap will strengthen cooperation in maritime domain awareness, information sharing, operational coordination, capability development and capacity building. The two sides also welcomed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between Australia’s Maritime Border Command and the Indian Coast Guard.
Recognising the growing importance of defence industrial cooperation, the two countries agreed to deepen collaboration between their defence industries, research institutions and innovation ecosystems. They also welcomed ongoing efforts to develop a Memorandum of Understanding for the provision of defence articles and services and expand defence science and technology cooperation.
Advancing Economic Security and Prosperity
On the economic front, PM Modi and Albanese welcomed the continued growth in bilateral trade under the India-Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA). They reaffirmed their commitment to concluding a Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA), describing it as essential for unlocking the full potential of the bilateral economic relationship.
The leaders underscored the complementarities between India’s “Make in India” initiative and Australia’s “Future Made in Australia” strategy, while encouraging stronger collaboration across manufacturing, technology, investment and innovation. They also welcomed the convening of the India-Australia CEO Forum and recognised the contribution of the inaugural Track 1.5 Dialogue held in Sydney earlier this year.
Driving Energy, Climate, Space and Technology Collaboration
Critical minerals, energy security and resilient supply chains featured prominently in the discussions. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening partnerships among government agencies, industry and research institutions to secure long-term supplies and develop processing and value-addition capabilities in critical minerals.
The summit also saw renewed emphasis on clean energy cooperation. The leaders welcomed a Joint Statement on Energy Security and reaffirmed their commitment to expanding collaboration in renewable energy, electrification and climate action. They also acknowledged progress under the India-Australia Renewable Energy Partnership, including the operationalisation of the Rooftop Solar Academy.
Technology cooperation received a major boost with the announcement of the Australia-India Partnership on Cyber, Critical Technologies and Supply Chains (PACTS). The initiative aims to strengthen collaboration in cyber security, supply chain resilience, critical technologies, digital infrastructure and defence research. The leaders also welcomed the signing of the Australia-Canada-India Technology and Innovation Partnership Memorandum of Understanding.
In the space sector, both countries agreed to deepen cooperation between the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the Australian Space Agency. Australia also reiterated its support for India’s Gaganyaan Human Space Flight Programme through the commissioning of a temporary space tracking facility on the Cocos (Keeling) Islands.
Australia reaffirmed its support for India’s membership of the Nuclear Suppliers Group and welcomed the finalisation of an administrative arrangement that will facilitate long-term Australian uranium exports to India for peaceful purposes under International Atomic Energy Agency safeguards.
Strengthening Education, Skills and People to People Links
Education and people-to-people ties were another key pillar of the summit. The leaders welcomed the growing presence of Australian universities in India, including approvals for Flinders University to establish a campus in Bengaluru and Victoria University to operationalise its campus in Gurugram.
They also highlighted the contribution of the Indian community, now Australia’s largest overseas-born community, and welcomed Australia’s announcement of AUD 10 million for the Centre for Australia-India Relations’ Maitri grants to strengthen economic collaboration and people-to-people links.
The two countries also agreed to enhance vocational education through the establishment of a National Centre of Excellence for Skilling in Mining in Odisha with support from the Government of Western Australia.
Recognising sports as an important pillar of bilateral engagement, the leaders welcomed the India-Australia Sports Collaboration Roadmap to strengthen cooperation ahead of the 2030 Commonwealth Games in Ahmedabad and the 2032 Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Promoting a peaceful, stable and prosperous Indo Pacific
At the regional level, the two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to a rules-based Indo-Pacific and reiterated support for freedom of navigation and peaceful resolution of disputes in accordance with international law. They stressed the importance of the Quad, the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), ASEAN-led regional architecture and the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative in promoting regional peace and stability.
PM Modi and Albanese also expressed concern over escalating tensions in the Middle East, the humanitarian consequences of the conflict in Ukraine and the continuing crisis in Myanmar, calling for dialogue, diplomacy and adherence to international law.
Both leaders strongly condemned terrorism and violent extremism in all forms and pledged to enhance cooperation through greater information sharing on terrorist threats, counter-radicalisation efforts, combating terrorism financing and addressing emerging technological threats. They reiterated their condemnation of the terrorist attacks in Pahalgam and Bondi Beach.
The two leaders also called for comprehensive reform of the United Nations Security Council to better reflect contemporary geopolitical realities. Australia reiterated its support for India’s candidature for a permanent seat in a reformed Security Council, while both countries reaffirmed support for each other’s bids for non-permanent membership.
Concluding the summit, PM Modi and Albanese expressed satisfaction with the progress achieved under the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and pledged to further deepen cooperation across defence, trade, technology, energy and regional security to promote a peaceful, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific.
