India-Australia – Nuclear Energy and Defence Cooperation Receive Fresh Momentum
India-Australia – India and Australia on Thursday announced a new set of agreements covering civil nuclear cooperation, maritime security, critical minerals, defence innovation and advanced technologies. The announcements followed detailed talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, with both leaders signalling a stronger focus on long-term strategic and economic cooperation.
Leaders hold comprehensive bilateral discussions
Modi met Albanese in Australia after arriving from Indonesia during the second phase of his three-country visit. The discussions centred on expanding trade, investment, defence coordination and technology partnerships between the two nations.
After the meeting, India and Australia released several key documents, including a Joint Declaration on Defence and Security, a Joint Statement on Energy Cooperation, and a roadmap covering cyber security, critical technologies and resilient supply chains.
Uranium supply agreement supports clean energy plans
One of the major outcomes was an agreement on civil nuclear energy that is expected to enable commercial uranium supplies from Australia to India. The arrangement is set to support India’s growing nuclear power programme and broader clean energy targets.
Speaking after the talks, Modi said the nuclear agreement would create a pathway for uranium exports from Australia and help strengthen the two countries’ cooperation on clean energy. He said the decision would add momentum to India’s efforts to expand low-carbon power generation.
Critical minerals partnership receives priority
The two leaders also launched the Australia-India Partnership on Cyber, Critical Technologies and Supply Chains. The initiative is expected to deepen coordination in sectors considered important for economic resilience, national security and the transition towards cleaner technologies.
Modi said cooperation on critical minerals was becoming increasingly important for strategic security and energy transformation. India and Australia will also work on developing a critical minerals corridor to improve access to resources needed for sectors such as renewable energy, electronics and advanced manufacturing.
Defence innovation and maritime cooperation expanded
Defence collaboration was another major area of discussion. Both countries agreed to establish an India-Australia Defence Innovation Corridor, which will connect defence start-ups, research institutions and industrial partners from both sides.
The leaders also announced the India-Australia Maritime Security Collaboration Roadmap. The framework is aimed at improving coordination across the Indo-Pacific region, including possible cooperation in shipbuilding, ship repair and maintenance.
Modi described the Indo-Pacific as a region shaped by the shared goals of democratic countries. He said India and Australia supported peace, stability, freedom of navigation and a rules-based order in the region.
Shared position on terrorism and global conflicts
Security concerns, including terrorism, were also discussed during the meeting. Modi said terrorism remained a challenge for the entire international community and stressed that India and Australia shared a firm commitment to countering it.
He also said ongoing conflicts in different regions should be addressed through dialogue and diplomacy. According to Modi, both countries would continue working together to promote stability and peaceful solutions to international disputes.
Trade and investment negotiations to move faster
The two governments agreed to speed up negotiations on the proposed Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement, or CECA. They will also work towards finalising a bilateral investment treaty, which could provide a stronger framework for investors and businesses in both countries.
Albanese said India had become one of Australia’s most significant strategic partners. He noted that bilateral ties were increasingly important across trade, technology, energy and security, and said both governments were committed to broadening cooperation in the years ahead.