Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese held a high-level meeting in Melbourne on Thursday, marking a significant milestone in the India-Australia strategic partnership, while following the talks, both leaders announced a series of landmark agreements aimed at deepening cooperation across various sectors, including defense, energy, trade, cyber security, critical technologies, and supply chains. The discussions underscored the growing synergy between the two nations and their shared commitment to a stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific region. Both countries also decided to enhance the exchange of information related to terrorist activities, reflecting a unified stance against global security threats.
PM Modi Expresses Gratitude to Albanese
Upon his arrival in Australia, Prime Minister Modi expressed his sincere gratitude to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese for the warm welcome. He stated, "I express my heartiest gratitude to my friend Prime Minister Anthony Albanese for the grand welcome given to me and my delegation in Melbourne. His personal efforts and commitment have given new height and breadth to India-Australia relations. " This sentiment set a positive tone for the bilateral discussions that followed.
Uranium Export Agreement Reached
In a major development for India's energy security, the two nations have cleared the path for the export of Australian uranium to India, while during a joint press conference, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed that both countries have signed the necessary arrangements to allow uranium exports for peaceful purposes under the 2015 India-Australia Civil Nuclear Cooperation Agreement. Albanese stated, "Today we can confirm that the arrangements to allow the export of uranium to India for peaceful purposes have been signed. " According to the joint statement, all administrative requirements for the export have been completed. The export will be strictly for peaceful use and will be subject to the monitoring and safety standards of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
Cooperation in Clean Energy and Supply Chains
India and Australia committed to working together to secure and strengthen energy supplies, while the leaders emphasized the importance of regional cooperation, promoting renewable energy, and maintaining open energy trade. They recognized that increased electrification of energy systems would be crucial for future energy security. The two nations agreed on the need to strengthen regional energy markets and maintain reliable supply chains, while the joint statement noted that stable energy supply is vital for the energy needs and economic resilience of Pacific Island nations. While India is a significant importer of Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) from Australia, India supplies liquid fuels and other petroleum products to Australia, while both countries decided to increase investment in the energy sector and further strengthen trade. They also agreed to enhance cooperation in low-carbon energy and biofuels, with Australia praising India's Global Biofuels Alliance (GBA) initiative.
Launch of PACTS for Cyber and Technology
A new partnership titled PACTS (Partnership on Cyber, Critical Technologies and Supply Chains) was launched to bolster cyber security, critical technologies, and resilient supply chains. This initiative replaces the 2020 Cyber and Critical Technology Cooperation Framework.
- Strengthening Supply Chains: India and Australia will develop trusted vendor arrangements, focusing on semiconductor research, secure undersea cable networks, critical mineral supply, and technical trade.
- Cooperation in Critical Technologies: This includes Artificial Intelligence (AI), space technology, telecommunications, biotechnology, and advanced materials. Both nations will work on international standards for secure and trusted AI.
- Cyber Security Cooperation: A new bilateral mechanism will be established for cyber and information technology, promoting data security, cyber training, investment, and technical skill development.
- Digital Resilience: India's experiences with Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) will be shared in the Indo-Pacific region to develop digital solutions for health, education, clean energy, and social security.
- Defense Research Cooperation: Collaboration between Australia's Defense Science and Technology Group and India's Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) will be enhanced, focusing on maritime surveillance and joint research in defense technology.
Senior officials from both countries will monitor the progress of PACTS, with annual reviews to ensure effective implementation.
Defense and Maritime Security
In the joint statement of the third India-Australia Annual Summit, both Prime Ministers described defense and security cooperation as a cornerstone of their partnership. They welcomed the Joint Declaration on Defense and Security Cooperation to elevate these ties. Both nations agreed to increase maritime cooperation for peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific, moving forward with the India-Australia Maritime Security Cooperation Roadmap. The leaders emphasized that the Indo-Pacific should be free, open, and rules-based, stressing the importance of freedom of navigation and adherence to international laws. They opposed any unilateral actions to change the regional status quo and stated that all disputes should be resolved peacefully according to international law.
Joint Fight Against Terrorism
India and Australia strongly condemned all forms of terrorism and violent extremism. The leaders asserted that all countries must work together continuously to combat terrorism. They called for action against terrorist organizations listed by the UN Security Council, as well as their associates, supporters, and financiers. Both countries decided to increase the exchange of information on terrorist activities and enhance cooperation on issues like online radicalization, misuse of new technologies, terror financing, and the protection of critical infrastructure. The joint statement also specifically condemned the terror attacks in Pahalgam, India, and Bondi Beach, Australia.