Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese held the Third Annual India-Australia Summit in Melbourne, resulting in significant advancements across trade, energy, and defence cooperation. The leaders announced their decision to work expeditiously towards a Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA), building upon the Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement signed in 2022, which they characterized as balanced, ambitious, and mutually beneficial. They also committed to moving forward swiftly on a Bilateral Investment Treaty.
In the energy sector, the Renewable Energy Partnership was emphasized with a focus on investment, technology transfer, and industry-to-industry collaboration. A key outcome was the establishment of the Rooftop Solar Training Academy in Gujarat, specifically designed to support the PM Surya Ghar Yojana by contributing to the capacity building of women and youth. A landmark agreement was reached in nuclear energy, opening the pathway for uranium supply from Australia to India to strengthen clean energy objectives. Cooperation in critical minerals was deemed vital for strategic security and clean energy transition, leading to the launch of the Australia–India Partnership on Cyber, Critical Technologies, and Supply Chains (AI-PACCTS) and a commitment to work together on a Critical Minerals Corridor.
Defence and security cooperation was significantly enhanced through an important Joint Declaration. The India–Australia Defence Innovation Corridor will connect defence startups and industries, while a Maritime Security Collaboration Roadmap aims to strengthen shared efforts in the Indo-Pacific. Collaboration will extend to areas such as shipbuilding, ship repair, and maintenance. The leaders affirmed a shared, unwavering resolve against terrorism and a belief that global tensions must be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy, committing to work together to strengthen peace, stability, freedom of navigation, and the rules-based order across the Indo-Pacific.
People-to-people ties were highlighted as a distinctive strength, with Australia being a preferred destination for Indian students and the opening of Australian university campuses in India adding a new chapter to the knowledge partnership. Efforts to enhance exchanges between students, professionals, and tourists will continue. The partnership was also framed in the context of upcoming major sporting events like the Olympics and Commonwealth Games, which are expected to create opportunities for investment in sports infrastructure.