New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Australia on Wednesday after concluding the Indonesia leg of his three-nation tour. He was accorded
a warm welcome by members of the Indian community in Melbourne, with cultural performances highlighting the close friendship between India and Australia.
On Thursday, the Prime Minister then joined his Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese at the India-Australia CEO Forum and the Economic Roadmap Business Reception in Melbourne. Addressing business leaders, they underscored the need to deepen economic engagement, expand trade and investment, and further strengthen the strategic partnership between the two countries.
“The presence of all of you is a symbol of our shared confidence and shared aspirations. Today, the world is going through a period of uncertainty, supply chain disruptions, and an energy crisis. At such a time, it is both natural and necessary for India and Australia to move forward as natural and trusted partners. Over the past few years, we have built a strong framework for future cooperation by combining the capabilities of both countries,” Prime Minister Modi said.
Much expected from pivotal meet
Much is expected to come out of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Australia visit, be it defence deals, technological outreaches or mineral pacts.
A key outcome could be a joint defence declaration aimed at deepening military cooperation through a defence innovation corridor that would connect startups, research institutions and defence manufacturers in both countries. The two nations are also expected to place renewed emphasis on counter-terrorism cooperation and enhancing interoperability between their armed forces. As part of growing military engagement, an Indian Army officer is likely to be deployed at the Australian Defence College.
On the energy front, both countries are likely to reinforce their strategic partnership by expanding cooperation in civil nuclear energy under the existing uranium supply agreement, while Australia is also expected to remain a key supplier of LNG, coal and diesel as India diversifies its energy imports.
Critical minerals are also expected to feature prominently, with both sides likely to announce collaboration on a dedicated critical minerals corridor to secure supply chains for rare earths and other strategic resources. The two countries are also expected to launch a PACTS agreement to cooperate on cyber security, critical technologies and resilient supply chains, reflecting their shared focus on reducing dependence on vulnerable global networks and building trusted technology partnerships.
