India and Australia on Thursday unveiled a wide-ranging package of agreements covering uranium supplies, defence, maritime security, energy and critical technologies, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese pledged to deepen strategic cooperation in the Indo-Pacific.

The announcements came after the two leaders met in Melbourne during the second leg of Modi’s three-nation tour. Along with strengthening security ties, the discussions focused on expanding economic cooperation and reinforcing a rules-based order in the region.

India and Australia signed a landmark uranium supply agreement | X/@narendramodi
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Uranium deal to support India’s clean energy goals

One of the key outcomes of the meeting was an arrangement that will enable the long-term supply of Australian uranium for India’s civilian nuclear energy programme.

Addressing a joint media interaction, Modi said the agreement would provide fresh momentum to India’s clean energy ambitions.

“Together, we will further strengthen peace, stability, freedom of navigation and a rules-based order throughout the Indo-Pacific region,” said PM Modi.

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Referring to the nuclear energy partnership, he added that the agreement “will open the way for uranium supplies from Australia” and give new impetus to India’s clean energy objectives.

Albanese said the administrative arrangement under the Nuclear Cooperation Agreement, which came into force in 2015, would now facilitate uranium exports for peaceful purposes.

“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.

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 added.

Neither side announced when uranium shipments would begin or the quantity to be supplied.

The announcements came after the two leaders met in Melbourne during the second leg of PM Modi's three-nation tour | X/@narendramodi
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Defence and maritime ties set for major boost

The two countries also signed a new Joint Declaration on Defence and Security Cooperation, replacing the framework agreed in 2009. The declaration aims to strengthen military coordination, enhance interoperability and increase the scale and complexity of joint exercises.

“Australia values India as a top-tier security partner and the declaration reflects our shared commitment to a peaceful, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific region,” Albanese said.

He added, “We will boost strategic coordination, increase the complexity of our defence exercises and further build interoperability between our defence forces. We undertake to consult on defence-related developments in the Indo-Pacific that affect our shared interests.”

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Modi also announced plans to strengthen defence manufacturing and maritime collaboration.

“Through the India-Australia defence innovation corridor, we will work to connect defence startups and industries,” he said.

“Our maritime security collaboration roadmap will give new impetus to our shared efforts in the Indo-Pacific. We will also move forward together in shipbuilding, ship repair and maintenance.”

The two countries also signed an MoU between the Indian Coast Guard and Australia’s Maritime Border Command to enhance cooperation in maritime law enforcement, border protection and domain awareness.

Broader cooperation across technology and investment

Beyond defence, both leaders agreed to speed up negotiations on the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA), advance discussions on a bilateral investment treaty and strengthen collaboration in cyber security, critical technologies and resilient supply chains through the Partnership for Cyber, Critical Technologies and Supply Chains (PACTS).

The two sides also agreed to work together to strengthen energy security, particularly in the wake of disruptions linked to the West Asia conflict.

Modi invited Australian businesses to expand long-term investments in India’s infrastructure sector, saying there were significant opportunities in roads, ports, railways and urban development.

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Modi invited Australian businesses to expand long-term investments in India's infrastructure sector | X@narendramodi
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“We have historic opportunities to cooperate in this field,” Modi said.

“India provides a safe, stable and sustainable growth option for your funds,” he added.

The visit also saw announcements on cooperation in space, science and technology, along with agreements to repatriate cultural artefacts and ancestral remains held in museums in both countries, further broadening the India-Australia partnership beyond strategic and economic ties.

FAQs:

What is the India-Australia uranium agreement?

It facilitates long-term Australian uranium supplies for India’s civilian nuclear energy programme.

What other agreements did India and Australia announce?

They announced new initiatives on defence, maritime security, energy, cyber cooperation, critical minerals and trade negotiations.