Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi participated in the 3rd India-Australia Annual Summit hosted by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in Melbourne on 9 July 2026. The leaders held one-on-one discussions followed by delegation-level talks, marking the successful completion of six years of the India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
Both leaders reviewed significant progress across bilateral relations and discussed deepening cooperation in priority areas including trade and investment, defence and security, critical minerals, cyber and emerging technologies, space, civil nuclear, clean energy, education, and people-to-people ties. They noted the expanding economic partnership and reaffirmed commitment to early finalization of an ambitious, balanced, and mutually beneficial Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA).
The summit welcomed outcomes from the Australia-India CEOs Forum and Economic Business Roadmap event, encouraging businesses from both countries to explore new investment opportunities in priority sectors. Education cooperation was highlighted with satisfaction, noting the growing presence of Australian universities in India and their contribution to building a future-ready workforce, fostering innovation, and strengthening people-to-people ties.
Several memoranda of understanding and agreements were finalized covering maritime security, civil nuclear energy, skill development, emerging technologies, science and technology, and film making. Additional bilateral documents were concluded in defence and security, energy security, education, repatriation of cultural properties, solar energy, and traditional knowledge.
The leaders appreciated the vibrant Indian diaspora in Australia for its significant contribution to Australian society and noted the voluntary return to India of several cultural artefacts of Tamil Nadu origin held by Australian institutions, including a stone sculpture of sacred Nandi, a metal Trident with the image of Bhadrakali, and a six-headed Karthikeya statue in stone, which will be transported back to India in due course.
Both Prime Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to deepening the India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and exchanged views on regional and global developments, reaffirming their commitment to a free, open, and prosperous Indo-Pacific.