Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese have announced a series of major agreements aimed at strengthening defence, security, energy and economic cooperation between India and Australia.
Speaking at a joint press conference in Melbourne on Thursday, the two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to expanding the India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. They highlighted the strong historical ties, growing people-to-people links, shared strategic interests and mutual respect between the two nations.
PM Modi said India and Australia had signed a joint declaration to deepen cooperation in the security sector. The joint statement outlines agreements across several key areas.
1. Defence and Security Cooperation
The two leaders described defence and security as the foundation of the bilateral partnership amid an increasingly complex strategic environment. They announced a Joint Declaration on Defence and Security Cooperation, aimed at significantly expanding defence ties and contributing to regional stability and security.
2. Greater Focus on Maritime Security
India and Australia reaffirmed their shared vision for a peaceful, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific region. Both sides agreed to strengthen maritime cooperation through the India-Australia Maritime Security Cooperation Roadmap. They also discussed a Memorandum of Understanding between Australia’s Maritime Border Command and the Indian Coast Guard.
3. Uranium and LNG Cooperation
Under the Australia-India Civil Nuclear Cooperation Agreement signed in 2015, Australia will continue supplying uranium to India for peaceful purposes under the safeguards of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). India will also continue importing liquefied natural gas (LNG), coal and diesel from Australia.
4. Expanding Economic and Trade Ties
The leaders welcomed the growth in bilateral trade under the India-Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA). They stressed the importance of increasing investment, reducing non-tariff barriers and encouraging stronger collaboration between financial institutions and private sector investors in both countries.
5. Partnership on Critical Minerals
India and Australia agreed to strengthen cooperation in the critical minerals sector. The two countries will encourage partnerships between government agencies, research institutions and private companies to increase investment, secure long-term supply chains and develop mineral processing and value-addition capabilities.
6. Energy Transition and Climate Action
Both nations committed to accelerating the clean energy transition while strengthening energy security and supporting long-term economic growth. They also agreed to enhance cooperation in tackling climate change, noting that countries across the Pacific and Indian Oceans remain particularly vulnerable to its impacts.
7. Cyber Security and Emerging Technologies
The two sides endorsed the Australia-India Partnership on Cyber and Critical Technology (PACTS). The initiative will boost cooperation in cyber security, critical technologies, supply chain resilience, digital infrastructure and defence research.
8. Space Collaboration
India and Australia agreed to expand cooperation in the space sector, including greater industry-to-industry partnerships. Australia welcomed deeper collaboration with India’s Gaganyaan human spaceflight programme, including support through a temporary space tracking facility on the Cocos (Keeling) Islands.
9. Stronger People-to-People Links
The leaders said people remain at the heart of the bilateral relationship. They noted that the Indian community is now Australia’s largest overseas-born community. Both welcomed the announcement of a 10 million Australian dollar Maitri Grants initiative under the Centre for Australia-India Relations to strengthen educational, cultural and economic ties.
10. Commitment to a Rules-Based Indo-Pacific
Prime Ministers Modi and Albanese reaffirmed their commitment to a free, open and rules-based Indo-Pacific. They stressed the importance of respecting international law, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), including freedom of navigation and overflight.
Leaders Reaffirm Long-Term Partnership
According to the joint statement, both leaders expressed satisfaction with the progress made in bilateral relations and pledged to take the India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership to the next stage. They reiterated their shared commitment to promoting a free, open, peaceful and prosperous Indo-Pacific region based on international rules and mutual benefit.
First published on: Jul 09, 2026 02:25 PM IST
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