India and Australia reached a landmark agreement on nuclear energy and defense cooperation during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the ocean nation. Speaking at a joint press conference with his Australian counterpart Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, the leaders announced a series of deals and treaties between New Delhi and Canberra, including one focusing on uranium supplies.
“The nuclear power agreement will facilitate the supply of uranium from Australia to India,” Modi said during the joint press conference, after Albanese announced the signing of the arrangement to enable uranium exports to India under the 2015 Australia-India Nuclear Cooperation Agreement.
Besides the major nuclear power deal, Prime Minister Modi and Albanese unveiled a wide-ranging agenda to deepen cooperation between India and Australia in various sectors such as defence, security, trade, energy, biotechnology, education and global governance.
At the conclusion of the third annual Australia-India summit, the Quad partners also called for a “free, open, rules-based and peaceful Indo-Pacific region.”
“We also firmly believe that resolving the tensions and wars raging in different parts of the world can only be achieved through dialogue and diplomacy. Throughout the Indo-Pacific region, we will work together to promote peace, stability, freedom of navigation and rules-based order,” Prime Minister Modi said.
Strategic partnership, maritime security and trade relations are on the agenda
The two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to the strategic partnership and called for deeper cooperation in the field of defense and security amid “the challenges emerging in a rapidly evolving global environment.”
Modi and Albanese also announced strengthening ties in the field of maritime security.
“India and Australia are vibrant democracies, multicultural societies, and significant ocean powers. Our similarities, and our shared worldview, inspire us to continue moving forward with deep mutual trust,” Modi said while launching the ‘India-Australia Maritime Security Cooperation Roadmap’.
Under this, a Memorandum of Understanding was announced between the Australian Maritime Frontier Command and the Indian Coast Guard to enhance interoperability.
On the economic front, the two Prime Ministers committed to “progressing an ambitious, balanced and mutually beneficial economic agreement” between India and Australia, which would further highlight India’s “Make in India” and Australia’s “Made in Australia” initiatives.
Prime Minister Modi is on a three-nation tour
Prime Minister Narendra Modi began a three-nation tour earlier this week. The Prime Minister’s first stop was Indonesia, followed by Australia. It will be Modi’s third and final stop in neighboring New Zealand.
