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PM Modi, who previously visited Australia in 2023, touched down Wednesday night to a red-carpet welcome in Melbourne.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in Melbourne. (Reuters photo)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will meet his Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese in Melbourne on Thursday, with critical minerals, trade, defence cooperation and security ties expected to dominate discussions as the two countries look to strengthen their strategic partnership.
PM Modi arrived in Melbourne on Wednesday night on the second leg of his three-nation tour, receiving a red-carpet welcome and a ceremonial guard of honour. The prime minister said the visit would add further momentum to the India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
“I will also have the opportunity to interact with the Indian diaspora, which is an important pillar of our partnership,” PM Modi said in a post on X Wednesday.
During the visit, Modi and Albanese are scheduled to co-chair the third annual India-Australia summit and discuss ways to expand cooperation across sectors of mutual interest.
A key focus of the talks is expected to be cooperation in critical minerals, which are essential for clean energy technologies, electric vehicles and advanced industries. Both countries have been working to diversify supply chains and reduce dependence on a limited number of sources.
Uranium, critical minerals and defence on agenda
A possible agreement on uranium exports to India is also being closely watched. According to reports in Australian media, the two sides could finalise an understanding on uranium supply, Reuters reported.
India and Australia signed a civil nuclear cooperation agreement in 2014, but uranium exports have remained limited due to concerns over ensuring the material is used only for peaceful purposes, including power generation.
When asked about a possible uranium deal, Albanese said there would be “more to say about that with Prime Minister Modi”, adding that both sides had engaged constructively.
The talks are also expected to cover defence and maritime security cooperation as India and Australia deepen their partnership in the Indo-Pacific region.
Modi’s Australia visit comes after Indonesia trip
Modi arrived in Australia after completing a three-day visit to Indonesia, where India and Jakarta signed 14 agreements covering areas including critical minerals, maritime security and other sectors.
The two countries also discussed defence cooperation, including potential collaboration related to the BrahMos cruise missile system.
India is Australia’s fifth-largest trading partner after China, Japan, the United States and South Korea. The Indian-origin community in Australia, numbering around one million people, is also expected to feature prominently during Modi’s visit.
The prime minister is scheduled to address members of the Indian diaspora at a major event in Melbourne on Thursday evening.
After Australia, Modi will travel to New Zealand on Friday before returning to India.
(With inputs from agencies)
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