Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Australia is expected to mark a significant step in India-Australia relations, with both countries likely to advance cooperation in clean energy, defence and maritime security. The visit comes as part of Modi’s three-nation tour, following his stop in Indonesia and ahead of his visit to New Zealand.

After arriving in Melbourne on Wednesday evening, Modi shared a message on social media, saying the visit would strengthen bilateral ties. He wrote that the trip will “add vigour to bilateral ties” and that he looked forward to holding talks with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Thursday.

India, Australia likely to finalise uranium supply agreement

One of the key outcomes expected from the visit is the conclusion of a commercial uranium supply agreement. The proposed deal will build on the Civil Nuclear Agreement signed between the two countries in 2014 and is aimed at supporting India’s growing nuclear energy requirements.

Australia holds nearly one-third of the world’s known uranium reserves but has supplied uranium to India only once, in 2017. Officials from both countries have been discussing a commercial arrangement for some time.

Also Read | PM Modi says India believes in prosperity, not expansionism at Indonesia Parliament

Recently, Vishwesh Negi, Joint Secretary (Oceania and Indo-Pacific) in the Ministry of External Affairs, had said there had been “substantive forward-looking conversations” that raised hopes of reaching a “logical conclusion.”

The development comes after India’s SHANTI Act introduced major reforms in the country’s nuclear sector. It also follows India’s agreement with Canada’s Cameco for the supply of 22 million pounds of uranium ore concentrate earlier this year. India has set a target of generating 100 GW of nuclear power by 2047, with the Nuclear Power Corporation of India planning to build 18 additional reactors.

Maritime security and defence ties set for a boost

Defence and maritime cooperation are also expected to feature prominently during the visit.

India and Australia are likely to announce a new Joint Maritime Security Collaboration Roadmap that will strengthen maritime domain awareness through greater collaboration involving patrol aircraft and related activities.

The two countries are also expected to refresh the India-Australia Joint Declaration on Security Cooperation, originally signed in 2009. The updated framework is expected to reflect the expansion of bilateral cooperation in defence, maritime security, counter-terrorism and non-proliferation.

Both nations already hold regular defence policy discussions and military staff talks. Their cooperation has steadily expanded through joint maritime exercises, while the Mutual Logistics Support Agreement signed in 2021 allows the navies of both countries to access each other’s military facilities.

Focus on Indo-Pacific, trade and business cooperation

People familiar with the developments said Modi’s visit is expected to reinforce India’s MAHASAGAR and Indo-Pacific visions by strengthening cooperation between two key Quad partners with growing strategic roles in the region.

In a notable diplomatic gesture, Australia’s Governor-General Sam Mostyn will travel from Canberra to Melbourne to meet Modi.

PM Modi poses for group photo with Australian PM Anthony Albanese and delegates in Melbourne
ZOOM IMAGE
PM Modi poses for group photo with Australian PM Anthony Albanese and delegates in Melbourne | ANI

The Prime Minister is also scheduled to address the India-Australia CEOs Forum as negotiations continue to upgrade the existing Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement into a Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA).

Also Read | India, Indonesia sign BrahMos missile deal to strengthen defence partnership

Trade between the two countries has grown steadily in recent years. India’s exports to Australia have increased from $4 billion in 2020-21 to $8.5 billion in 2024-25, while total bilateral trade reached $24.1 billion during 2024-25.

Modi will also participate in a community event at Melbourne’s Marvel Stadium alongside Albanese. The Indian diaspora has emerged as a major pillar of bilateral relations, with nearly one million people of Indian origin now living in Australia.

FAQs:

Why is uranium supply a key focus of PM Modi’s Australia visit?

India and Australia are expected to finalise a commercial uranium supply deal to support India’s expanding nuclear power programme.

What are the major defence announcements expected during PM Modi’s Australia visit?

Both countries are likely to unveil a new maritime security roadmap and strengthen defence cooperation under an updated security framework.