India, Australia deepen defence, nuclear ties
Both nations also launch a critical minerals partnership and expand defence collaboration to strengthen regional stability
India and Australia on Thursday signed a raft of agreements spanning civil nuclear cooperation, maritime security, defence, critical minerals and trade as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese vowed to deepen their strategic partnership for a stable and peaceful Indo-Pacific region.
The highlight of the summit was the operationalisation of the long-awaited civil nuclear energy agreement, nearly 12 years after the two countries signed the pact. The new arrangement paves the way for commercial supply of Australian uranium to fuel India’s nuclear power projects, giving fresh momentum to New Delhi’s clean energy goals.
“Today, we have signed an important agreement in the field of nuclear energy. This will open the way for uranium supplies from Australia to India and give new impetus to our clean energy objectives,” PM Modi said in his media statement.
The two sides also decided to expedite negotiations for a Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) and a Bilateral Investment Treaty, building on the Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement signed in 2022.
A total of 18 pacts were concluded after the delegation-level talks, including a Joint Declaration on Defence and Security Cooperation, a Maritime Security Collaboration Roadmap, a Joint Statement on Energy Security, and a new Partnership on Cyber, Critical Technologies and Supply Chains. The leaders also launched the Australia-India Partnership on Critical Minerals and agreed to work on a critical minerals corridor.
In the defence domain, the two countries committed to enhancing interoperability, information sharing, joint military exercises and co-development of military hardware. The Maritime Security Collaboration Roadmap lays emphasis on long-term defence industrial collaboration, shipbuilding, ship repair and maintenance.
An agreement between the Indian Coast Guard and Australia’s Maritime Border Command was also signed to boost cooperation in maritime law enforcement, domain awareness and border protection.
Modi described the outcomes as “unparalleled”, particularly in renewable energy, climate action, nuclear energy, critical minerals, technology and education. He announced the deployment of an Indian military instructor at the Australian Defence College for 2028-29.
“The Indo-Pacific is not just the confluence of two oceans. It also symbolises the shared aspirations of like-minded democracies like India and Australia,” Modi said, underlining the importance of a free, open and rules-based order in the region. Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to combat terrorism and resolve global conflicts through dialogue and diplomacy.
Albanese termed the relationship “more consequential than ever” and said the nuclear pact would help Australia export uranium for peaceful purposes while supporting India’s non-fossil fuel power capacity. “Australia values India as a top-tier security partner,” he added. The Australian leader highlighted new initiatives in defence, education, science, technology, energy security and critical minerals.
The summit also saw educational ties strengthened, with Victoria University receiving approval to operate a campus in Gurugram and Flinders University getting a letter of intent for a campus in Bengaluru.
Modi arrived in Australia from Indonesia on the second leg of his three-nation tour, aimed at boosting trade, energy and defence cooperation amid a complex geopolitical landscape. Both sides emphasised diversifying supply chains and enhancing resilience in critical sectors.
Describing India and Australia as “two vibrant democracies and ocean powers”, Modi said their shared worldview and mutual trust would continue to drive the bilateral relationship forward. Albanese echoed the sentiment, noting that six years into the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, the two nations are poised to grow “from strength to strength”.
The agreements mark a significant elevation in India-Australia ties, positioning the two countries as key partners in shaping a secure, prosperous and stable Indo-Pacific.
