MELBOURNE, July 9/INDIAN ABROAD NEWSDESK
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi reaffirmed their commitment to deepening the Australia–India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership during the third Australia–India Annual Summit in Melbourne, agreeing to expand cooperation across trade, defence, education, clean energy, critical minerals and emerging technologies.
Prime Minister Modi was accorded a ceremonial welcome at Government House before holding one-on-one talks with Albanese, followed by delegation-level discussions. The leaders marked six years of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and reviewed progress across the full spectrum of bilateral relations.
The two Prime Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to concluding a Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) at the earliest, describing it as an ambitious, balanced and mutually beneficial pact. They also welcomed the outcomes of the Australia–India CEOs Forum and the Economic Business Roadmap event, encouraging businesses from both countries to explore new investment opportunities.
Education featured prominently in the discussions, with both leaders noting the growing presence of Australian universities in India and highlighting the role of academic partnerships in building a future-ready workforce, fostering innovation and strengthening people-to-people ties.
Albanese and Modi also acknowledged the contribution of the Indian diaspora to Australian society and welcomed the voluntary return to India of three cultural artefacts of Tamil Nadu origin held by Australian institutions—a stone sculpture of Nandi, a metal trident bearing the image of Bhadrakali and a six-headed stone statue of Karthikeya.
The summit concluded with the signing of agreements and memoranda of understanding covering maritime security, civil nuclear energy, defence, skill development, science and technology, emerging technologies, energy security, education, film-making, solar energy, traditional knowledge and the repatriation of cultural property.
The two leaders also exchanged views on regional and global developments and reaffirmed their commitment to a free, open and prosperous Indo-Pacific. Modi thanked Albanese for the hospitality extended to him and the Indian delegation during the visit.
