·
Prime
Minister Narendra Modi
visited Australia from 8–10
July 2026 for the Third
Australia–India Annual Summit in Melbourne at the invitation of
Prime Minister **Anthony Albanese>.
·
Both
leaders reaffirmed their commitment to expanding the India–Australia Comprehensive Strategic
Partnership (CSP) to address emerging global and regional
challenges.
·
The
leaders announced a Joint
Declaration on Defence and Security Cooperation, signalling a
major upgrade in bilateral defence and security ties.
·
They
established an Annual
Defence Ministers' Dialogue to strengthen strategic
consultation and defence cooperation.
·
Both
sides welcomed:
o Growing frequency and complexity of joint
military exercises.
o Expanded cooperation under the Mutual Logistics Support Arrangement.
o Enhanced interoperability across all
defence domains.
·
The
leaders agreed to implement an India–Australia
Maritime Security Collaboration Roadmap covering:
o Maritime information sharing.
o Capability development.
o Capacity building.
o Operational coordination.
·
They
welcomed a Memorandum of
Understanding between Australia's Maritime Border Command and the Indian Coast
Guard to strengthen maritime security.
·
Defence
industry cooperation will expand through:
o A proposed MoU on Defence Articles and
Defence Services.
o Defence trade missions.
o Defence Industry Roundtable.
o Collaboration in defence science and
technology.
·
The
two countries will also:
o Expand professional military education.
o Promote joint research and war-gaming.
o Exchange military instructors.
o Continue the General Rawat India–Australia Young
Officers' Exchange Programme.
·
The
Prime Ministers welcomed continued growth in bilateral trade under the Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement
(ECTA) and reaffirmed commitment to an ambitious Comprehensive Economic Cooperation
Agreement (CECA).
·
Both
countries agreed to:
o Reduce non-tariff barriers.
o Promote two-way investment.
o Increase coordination between financial
institutions.
·
The
leaders welcomed:
o The CEO Forum.
o Stronger business-to-business engagement.
o Alignment between "Make in India"
and "Future Made in
Australia" initiatives.
o Continued implementation of A New Roadmap for Australia's Economic
Engagement with India.
·
India
and Australia reaffirmed cooperation on:
o Critical minerals.
o Long-term supply agreements.
o Processing and value addition.
o Secure and resilient supply chains,
especially for energy and critical minerals.
·
The
leaders welcomed the Joint
Statement on Energy Security and reaffirmed cooperation on
reliable, affordable and sustainable energy.
·
Both
countries reaffirmed commitment to climate action under the Paris Agreement,
recognising:
o Equity.
o Common but differentiated
responsibilities.
o Support for vulnerable developing
countries.
o Climate finance, technology transfer and
capacity building.
·
Progress
under the India–Australia
Renewable Energy Partnership, including the Rooftop Solar Academy,
was welcomed.
·
The
leaders launched the Australia–India
Partnership on Cyber, Critical Technologies and Supply Chains (PACTS)
covering:
o Critical technologies.
o Supply chain diversification.
o Cybersecurity.
o Digital resilience.
o Defence research.
·
They
also welcomed the Australia–Canada–India
Technology and Innovation (ACITI) Partnership MoU.
·
Space
cooperation will expand through:
o Industry partnerships.
o Australian support for India's Gaganyaan
mission.
o Greater cooperation between ISRO and the Australian Space Agency (ASA).
·
Australia
reiterated support for India's membership of the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG)
and welcomed arrangements enabling long-term Australian uranium exports for
peaceful purposes under IAEA safeguards.
·
The
leaders recognised the Indian community as Australia's largest overseas-born community.
·
Australia
announced A$10 million
for the Centre for
Australia–India Relations' Maitri Grants to strengthen economic
and people-to-people ties.
·
Both
countries welcomed:
o Expansion of Australian university
campuses in India.
o Approval for Flinders University to
establish a campus in Bengaluru.
o Approval for Victoria University to
operationalise its campus in Gurugram.
·
They
also supported establishment of a National
Centre of Excellence for Skilling in Mining at Bhubaneswar
through cooperation with Western Australia.
·
The
leaders endorsed an India–Australia
Sports Collaboration Roadmap ahead of the 2030 Commonwealth Games
and 2032 Brisbane Olympics
and Paralympics.
·
They
welcomed:
o Repatriation of First Nations ancestral
remains from India.
o Return of Telugu remains from Australia.
o Voluntary return of Indian cultural
artefacts by Australia.
·
Both
leaders reaffirmed commitment to:
o A free, open and rules-based Indo-Pacific.
o Freedom of navigation under UNCLOS.
o Peaceful resolution of disputes.
o Opposition to unilateral actions altering
the regional status quo.
·
They
reaffirmed support for:
o The Quad.
o Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA).
o Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI).
o Australia–India–Indonesia trilateral
cooperation.
o Pacific Islands Forum (PIF).
o ASEAN centrality and the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP).
·
The
leaders expressed concern over:
o Escalating tensions in the Middle East.
o The humanitarian impact of the Ukraine
conflict.
o The situation in Myanmar.
·
They
called for:
o Restraint and diplomacy.
o Protection of civilians.
o Uninterrupted energy supplies.
o Peaceful resolution of conflicts.
·
India
and Australia strongly condemned terrorism in all forms and agreed to:
o Increase intelligence sharing.
o Counter online radicalisation.
o Combat terrorism financing.
o Address misuse of emerging technologies.
o Protect critical infrastructure and the
maritime domain.
·
The
leaders specifically condemned the terrorist attacks at Pahalgam and Bondi Beach.
·
Both
leaders supported comprehensive reform of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).
·
Australia
reiterated support for India's
permanent membership of a reformed UNSC.
·
Both
countries reaffirmed mutual support for each other's non-permanent UNSC candidatures:
o India (2028–29).
o Australia (2029–30).
·
The
Summit charted the next phase of the India–Australia Comprehensive Strategic
Partnership, with enhanced cooperation across defence, maritime security,
trade, investment, energy, critical minerals, technology, education, climate
action, counter-terrorism and Indo-Pacific regional security.
At
the invitation of the Prime Minister of Australia the Honourable Anthony Albanese
MP, the Honourable Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi visited Australia from
8-10 July 2026 for the Third Australia–India Annual Summit in Melbourne, Naarm, the traditional land of the Wurundjeri
Woi-wurrung and Bunurong / Boon Wurrung peoples of the
Kulin Nation.
Recalling
the longstanding friendship between the two nations, rooted in historical ties,
people-to-people linkages, shared strategic interests, and mutual respect for one
another, the two Leaders reaffirmed their shared commitment to further consolidate
and expand the India–Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) to respond
to emerging challenges in a rapidly evolving global environment, and explore new
areas of cooperation beneficial for the peace, prosperity and stability of our shared
region.
Deepening Defence and Maritime
Security Cooperation
The
Prime Ministers reaffirmed that defence and security cooperation is a cornerstone
of the partnership in an increasingly complex strategic environment. They announced
the Joint Declaration on Defence and Security Cooperation, reflecting a step change
in the depth and ambition of the bilateral defence and security relationship, and
contribution to regional strength and security.
The
Prime Ministers welcomed the establishment of an Annual Defence Ministers’ Dialogue
as a mechanism to enhance consultation and cooperation. They noted with satisfaction
the growing frequency and complexity of defence exercises and exchanges under the
Mutual Logistics Support Arrangement. They were pleased to note that the defence
partnership now extends across all domains, and emphasised the importance of deepening
interoperability, including with multilateral partners.
The
Prime Ministers underscored the centrality of maritime cooperation to their shared
vision for a peaceful, stable and prosperous Indo Pacific. The Leaders agreed to
enhance maritime cooperation through the India-Australia Maritime Security Collaboration
Roadmap. Through this, India and Australia reaffirm their shared commitment to a
peaceful and prosperous Indo-Pacific recognising that effective maritime cooperation
is essential to regional security. They agreed to collaborate in areas of information
sharing, capability development, capacity building and operational coordination.
The Leaders welcomed the conclusion of a Memorandum of Understanding between the
Maritime Border Command and the Indian Coast Guard to support a secure maritime
environment.
The
Prime Ministers acknowledged the significance of defence industry, research and
material cooperation. The Leaders welcomed the ongoing work to develop a Memorandum
of Understanding for the Provision of Defence Articles and Defence Services, and
efforts to promote connections between Australian and Indian defence industries,
including through Australia’s first defence trade mission to India and the Australia-India
Defence Industry Roundtable.
Acknowledging
the significance of professional military education, joint research, wargaming and
capacity building initiatives for future-ready military personnel, the Prime Ministers
highlighted ongoing efforts to strengthen cooperation on professional military education.
The Leaders encouraged continued strengthening of linkages between military education
institutions of both countries. Both Leaders looked forward to the placement of
a visiting military instructor from India at the Australian Defence College in 2028-2029.
They welcomed Australia’s upcoming hosting of the fourth iteration of the General
Rawat India-Australia Young Officers’ Exchange Program.
The
Prime Ministers undertook to explore the establishment of a bilateral innovation
framework to connect the ecosystems of both countries and accelerate collaboration
among governments, industry, academia, and research institutions. They underscored
the importance of expanding defence science and technology research cooperation
into new areas to promote innovative solutions to advanced capability priorities.
Advancing Economic Security
and Prosperity
The
Prime Ministers welcomed continued growth in two way trade
under the India–Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA), and reducing
non-tariff barriers, noting its tangible benefits for businesses and consumers in
both countries. They re-affirmed their commitment to progressing an ambitious, balanced
and mutually beneficial Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) to unlock
the full potential of the economic relationship and strengthen prosperity for both
countries. The Prime Ministers also underscored the importance of enhancing investment
and supported increased engagement between private sector investors, including through
stronger coordination of finance between relevant institutions of both countries.
Underscoring
the importance of industry led engagement, the Prime Ministers welcomed the convening
of the CEO Forum during the visit, and reaffirmed support for stronger business
to business linkages. The Leaders acknowledged the complementarities between “Make
in India” and “Future Made in Australia” and the scope for deeper cooperation across
manufacturing, technology and investment. The Leaders appreciated continued implementation
of A New Roadmap for Australia’s Economic Engagement with India and welcomed the
contributions of the inaugural Track 1.5 Dialogue held in Sydney in May 2026 in
shaping practical pathways for expanded cooperation.
The
Prime Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to cooperation in critical minerals.
They underscored the importance of partnerships between Indian and Australian government
agencies, public and private companies and research institutions to promote investment,
secure long-term supply and offtake arrangements, and support the development of
processing and value-addition capabilities. The Leaders affirmed that transparent,
secure and resilient supply chains are central to our economic security. They acknowledged
the importance of working together to support supply chain collaboration, particularly
for energy, and critical minerals, including through bilateral initiatives and multilateral
fora.
Driving Energy, Climate, Space
and Technology Collaboration
The
Prime Ministers emphasised the increasing importance of energy security and resource
collaboration to our economies. They reaffirmed their commitment to deepening cooperation
to support reliable, affordable and sustainable energy supply, recognising the critical
role of renewable energy and electrification in accelerating the energy transition,
strengthening energy security and supporting long-term economic prosperity. In this
regard, they welcomed the Joint Statement on Energy Security.
Both
Prime Ministers reaffirmed the importance of accelerating efforts to address climate
change, recognising the Paris Agreement will be implemented to reflect equity and
the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities,
in the light of different national circumstances and welcomed Australia’s leadership
as COP31 President of Negotiations. The Leaders acknowledged that small island states
and other vulnerable developing countries, like those in the Pacific and Indian
oceans, are particularly affected by the impacts of climate change, reiterating
the need to maintain momentum on global climate action and underscoring the importance
of climate finance, technology transfer and capacity building support. The Leaders
recognised progress under the India–Australia Renewable Energy Partnership, including
initiatives such as the establishment and operationalisation of the Rooftop Solar
Academy.
The
Prime Ministers underscored the importance of harnessing technology and innovation
to drive future growth and address shared challenges, acknowledging the strong people-to-people
links which underpin technology cooperation and growth. Both Leaders agreed on an
Australia-India Partnership on Cyber, Critical Technologies and Supply Chains (PACTS)
to raise the ambition of our relationship on critical technologies, supply chain
diversification, cyber security, digital resilience, and defence research. The Leaders
were also pleased to welcome the signing of the Australia–Canada–India Technology
and Innovation (ACITI) Partnership MOU, reaffirming their shared commitment to trusted
partnerships as a foundation for cooperation in critical and emerging technologies.
The
Prime Ministers highlighted the importance of strengthening space cooperation, including
industry-to-industry partnerships. The Leaders welcomed Australia’s continued support
for India’s Gaganyaan Human Space Flight Program, including
commissioning of a temporary space tracking terminal on Cocos Keeling Islands, and
expressed hope to further deepen collaboration between the Indian Space Research
Organisation (ISRO) and the Australian Space Agency (ASA).
Australia
reiterated its strong support for India’s membership of the Nuclear Suppliers’ Group,
and building on the Australia-India Nuclear Cooperation Agreement, both Prime Ministers
welcomed finalisation and signature of the Administrative Arrangement, which will
enable long-term Australian uranium exports to India for exclusively peaceful purposes
and under IAEA safeguards.
Strengthening Education, Skills
and People to People Links
The
Prime Ministers underscored that people are at the heart of the partnership, noting
that the Indian community in Australia was now Australia’s largest overseas-born
group. The Leaders valued the important role the Indian Australian community played
in Australia’s vibrant, multicultural society, and welcomed the announcement of
$10 million for the Centre for Australia-India Relations' Maitri grants to deepen
economic collaboration and people-to-people links. Building on the regular high
level and ministerial engagement, the Prime Ministers also acknowledged strengthened
parliamentary engagement, notably the establishment of a Parliamentary Friendship
Group with Australia in India’s Lok Sabha, similar to the Parliamentary Friends
of India Group in the Australian Parliament. Both Prime Ministers agreed that cooperation
across democratic institutions, including Parliament, should continue.
The
Prime Ministers highlighted expanding education collaboration, demonstrated by the
growing number of Australian university campuses operating in India or approved
to do so, and welcomed the issuance of the Letter of Intent (LoI) by the University Grants Commission (UGC) of India to Flinders
University to establish its campus in Bengaluru, and the Letter of Approval (LoA) to Victoria University to operationalise its campus in
Gurugram. Prime Minister Albanese emphasised that Indian students in Australia are
welcomed and are valued members of Australian classrooms, campuses and communities.
The Leaders also welcomed the agreement between the Western Australian Government
and Government of India to support the establishment of a National Centre of Excellence
for Skilling in Mining at the National Skill Training Institute, in Bhubaneswar,
Odisha to expand vocational education and training cooperation.
The
Prime Ministers acknowledged that sports is more than just a shared passion. It
is a vital component of our bilateral relationship contributing to increased trade,
tourism, and investment. The Leaders welcomed the India-Australia Sports Collaboration
Roadmap to deepen sports cooperation between Australia and India, including on major
sporting events as Australia and India prepare to host the 2032 Olympics and Paralympics
in Brisbane and the 2030 Commonwealth Games in Ahmedabad.
Underlining
the importance of cultural cooperation and the protection and preservation of cultural
heritage, the Prime Ministers welcomed progress on the voluntary and unconditional
repatriation of the First Nations ancestor held in India, and separately, the repatriation
of Telugu remains housed in Australia. Prime Minister Modi thanked Prime Minister
Albanese for the voluntary return to India of several cultural artefacts held in
Australian collecting institutions.
Promoting a peaceful, stable
and prosperous Indo Pacific
The
Prime Ministers reaffirmed their shared commitment to an open and rules based Indo Pacific. They underlined the importance of being
able to exercise rights and freedoms consistent with international law, particularly
the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), including freedom
of navigation and overflight, and emphasised that disputes must be resolved peacefully
in accordance with international law. They strongly opposed any destabilising or
unilateral action to change the status quo and undermine regional peace and stability.
The
Prime Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation through
regional and multilateral institutions to address shared challenges. They reiterated
the importance of the Quad as a partnership that delivers practical and concrete
outcomes for the Indo Pacific, and welcomed the substantive outcomes agreed by Quad
Foreign Ministers in New Delhi in May 2026.
The
Prime Ministers underlined the importance of deepening cooperation in the Indian
Ocean region, including through the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) under India's
Chairship and welcomed continued engagement under regional
initiatives. They welcomed search and rescue training for IORA Member States, conducted
jointly by Australia and India at Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) Chennai
in June, and Australia hosting the sixth meeting of the IORA Working Group on Maritime
Safety and Security in Perth in June. They welcomed current cooperation activities
under the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI). Both Leaders welcomed further cooperation
through the Australia-India-Indonesia trilateral mechanism, including exploring
opportunities in maritime domain awareness, marine pollution, blue economy and through
regional institutions.
Both
Prime Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF),
recognising the importance of its 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent and
partnerships that reflect the collective priorities of the Pacific region. Prime
Minister Albanese recognised India’s role in extending development partnership to
Pacific Island countries, including through the Forum for India-Pacific Islands
Cooperation (FIPIC) framework. The Prime Ministers reaffirmed their support for
ASEAN centrality and the ASEAN led regional architecture and expressed unwavering
support for the implementation of the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo Pacific (AOIP).
The
Prime Ministers expressed concern over renewed escalation of tensions in the Middle
East and called upon all parties to exercise restraint, de-escalate tensions, and
ensure protection of civilians as well as the uninterrupted flow of energy supplies
and commerce. They reiterated the importance of dialogue and diplomacy, and adherence
to international law to achieve a peaceful and lasting solution to the conflict.
Prime Ministers also exchanged views on the war in Ukraine, expressing concern at
the tragic humanitarian consequences and called for a peaceful resolution to the
conflict. They remained concerned by the situation in Myanmar and its impact on
the region, reaffirming their support for ASEAN-led efforts, including the Five
Point Consensus.
The
Prime Ministers unequivocally condemned terrorism and violent extremism conducive
to terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. They emphasised the importance
of all countries combatting the threat of terrorism in a comprehensive and sustained
manner, and called for action against globally proscribed terrorists and terror
entities, including those listed by the United Nations Security Council 1267 Sanctions
Committee, and their proxies, affiliates, sponsors and financiers. The Prime Ministers
recognised the need for enhancing cooperation to effectively counter the challenges
of combating terrorism. They committed to increase information sharing on terrorist
threats in our region and explore opportunities for enhanced collaboration to counter
radicalisation including online radicalisation, violent extremism conducive to terrorism
and countering use of new and emerging technology for terrorist purposes, financing
of terrorism, threats to critical infrastructure and the maritime domain. They reiterated
their condemnation of terrorist attacks, including the horrific attacks perpetrated
at Pahalgam and Bondi Beach.
The
Prime Ministers underscored the need for urgent reform of the United Nations Security
Council (UNSC), including greater permanent and non-permanent representation to
better reflect contemporary geopolitical realities. In view of India’s longstanding
contributions to multilateralism and the United Nations, Australia reiterated its
support for India’s candidacy for a permanent seat in a reformed UNSC. Both Leaders
reaffirmed their mutual support for each other’s non-permanent candidatures to the
UNSC — India for the 2028–2029 term and Australia for the 2029–2030 term. They also
emphasized the broader need for UN reforms to enhance the organization’s efficiency
and effectiveness.
The
Prime Ministers expressed satisfaction at the progress of bilateral engagements
and affirmed their commitment to chart the next phase of the Comprehensive Strategic
Partnership for mutual benefit as well as for a free, open, rules-based, peaceful
and prosperous Indo-Pacific.