New Delhi: India and Australia have taken a significant step towards strengthening their strategic partnership, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi announcing that Australia will supply uranium to India under a new agreement aimed at supporting the country’s clean energy ambitions.
Speaking alongside Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in Melbourne, PM Modi said the nuclear energy pact would provide fresh momentum to India’s transition towards cleaner sources of energy. He described India and Australia as vibrant democracies, multicultural societies and key maritime nations that share a common vision for regional stability and prosperity.
The uranium supply arrangement has been signed under the framework of the 2015 Australia India Nuclear Cooperation Agreement, allowing Australia to export uranium to India exclusively for peaceful civilian purposes. Albanese said the agreement reflects the growing trust and strategic cooperation between the two nations.
Beyond nuclear energy, the two leaders announced plans to negotiate a Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA), aimed at expanding trade and investment while creating new economic opportunities for both countries. They also agreed to pursue a bilateral investment treaty to further strengthen commercial ties.
Clean energy and supply chain resilience featured prominently in the discussions, with both countries launching a Critical Minerals Corridor to secure essential resources required for renewable energy technologies and advanced manufacturing.
Defence cooperation also received a major boost with the announcement of an India Australia Defence Innovation Corridor to encourage collaboration in defence technology and innovation. The leaders unveiled a joint declaration on defence and security cooperation, a maritime security roadmap and new partnerships covering cyber security, critical technologies and resilient supply chains.
Australia also endorsed a trilateral technology partnership involving India, Australia and Canada, while agreeing to establish a temporary space tracking terminal on the Cocos (Keeling) Islands to support India’s Gaganyaan human spaceflight mission.
Describing India as one of Australia’s most important strategic partners, Albanese said the relationship has become more consequential than ever, with both nations committed to enhancing cooperation across energy, technology, defence, education and Indo-Pacific security while promoting a stable, secure and prosperous region.
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