During Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to Australia, both nations committed to significantly deepening their strategic partnership. The enhanced cooperation spans critical areas including energy security, defence, cyber security, and the supply chains for vital technologies.
The third India-Australia Annual Summit saw Prime Minister Modi and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese engage in discussions that led to several key agreements and joint statements. A primary focus was addressing global supply chain disruptions and reinforcing commitments to open markets and the stable flow of energy products.
Specifically, the two countries agreed to bolster bilateral energy trade. Australia, already a substantial exporter of liquefied natural gas to India, will continue to play a crucial role. In turn, India will strengthen its position as a key supplier of liquid fuels to Australia.
A significant development was the finalization of administrative arrangements allowing Australia to export uranium to India for peaceful nuclear purposes. This initiative operates under the framework of the 2015 Australia-India Nuclear Cooperation Agreement and adheres to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) safeguards.
Both leaders also unequivocally reiterated their shared vision for an open, peaceful, stable, and prosperous Indo-Pacific region. They emphasized the importance of upholding international law, respecting national sovereignty and territorial integrity, and ensuring freedom of navigation and overflight, in line with the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
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