India and Australia on Thursday reached a landmark agreement that will pave the way for uranium supplies to support New Delhi’s nuclear power programme, while also broadening collaboration in defence, maritime security, critical minerals and energy. The announcements came after Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese reaffirmed their commitment to reinforcing stability and a rules-based order across the Indo-Pacific.
The two leaders met in Melbourne during the second stop of Modi’s three-nation tour, outlining a wide-ranging roadmap to enhance strategic coordination between the two Quad partners. The visit is focused on expanding economic and security ties with key Indo-Pacific nations at a time when China’s assertive regional posture and wider geopolitical shifts continue to reshape the global landscape.
After their bilateral discussions, the leaders unveiled a series of initiatives, including an arrangement for the long-term supply of Australian uranium to India’s nuclear energy sector. They also announced a fresh joint declaration on defence and security, a roadmap for maritime security cooperation, joint initiatives to strengthen energy security, and a partnership covering cyber, critical technologies and resilient supply chains.
Both countries also decided to accelerate negotiations on a Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA), building on the Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement signed in 2022, while pushing ahead with efforts to conclude a bilateral investment treaty.
Addressing a joint media interaction, Modi highlighted the shared outlook of the two nations as major maritime powers and said: “Together, we will further strengthen peace, stability, freedom of navigation and a rules-based order throughout the Indo-Pacific region.”
Referring to the nuclear cooperation pact, Modi said the significant agreement “will open the way for uranium supplies from Australia” and provide fresh momentum to India’s clean energy ambitions.
“Australia and India are close partners and even closer friends,” Albanese said.
“With new landmark agreements, we are expanding our relationship across defence and security, education, science and technology, energy security and critical minerals.”
Albanese said the administrative arrangement under the bilateral Nuclear Cooperation Agreement, which entered into force in 2015, would make possible uranium exports for peaceful purposes. “The arrangement facilitates Australian uranium exports to India to help increase the share of non-fossil fuel power capacity, providing an additional market for the Australian resources sector,” he said.
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