Melbourne:
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, briefing reporters after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s talks with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in Melbourne, said the nuclear agreement had required an administrative framework for uranium supply but could not be operationalised earlier due to unresolved reporting-related issues.
After “very intense discussions” over the past two years, both sides have resolved the pending concerns and put in place a government-to-government framework covering accounting, reporting procedures and protocols, Misri said. Actual uranium supply contracts will now be taken up by Australian private companies and Indian entities involved in uranium imports.
A joint statement said the arrangement would enable long-term Australian uranium exports to India exclusively for peaceful purposes and under IAEA safeguards. Australia also reiterated its strong support for India’s membership of the Nuclear Suppliers’ Group.
Modi said the agreement would pave the way for uranium supply from Australia to India and strengthen India’s clean energy goals.
The talks produced 18 major outcomes across defence, maritime security, energy, critical technologies, education, mining, research and cultural cooperation. These included a Joint Declaration on Defence and Security Cooperation and an India-Australia maritime security collaboration roadmap.
Both leaders reaffirmed support for the Quad as a key platform to address regional challenges, including infrastructure, critical technologies, cyber security, supply chain resilience, humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, maritime security and counter-terrorism.
Terrorism also featured prominently in the discussions, with both sides condemning it unequivocally and calling for action against all those involved in terrorism in any form. Misri said there was a “complete meeting of minds” between the two countries on the issue. The situation in West Asia was also discussed, with Modi reiterating India’s desire for sustained peace in the region.
Energy cooperation remained a central pillar of the visit. Misri said India was an important supplier of downstream petroleum products to Australia, while Australia remained a long-standing supplier of coal and natural gas to India. The uranium arrangement, he said, would help advance India’s clean energy transition and the shared goal of moving towards a net-zero economy.
Later, addressing the Indian diaspora at “Melbourne Meets Modi”, the Prime Minister said India’s growing capabilities were being used for the benefit of humanity. He said India did not differentiate on the basis of nationality, race, geography or passport colour while extending humanitarian assistance.
Modi cited India’s disaster relief missions in Venezuela, Turkiye, Syria, Myanmar and Sri Lanka, and also referred to Operation Sindoor, saying India’s defence platforms had demonstrated capability and credibility against terror hubs.
At the event, Albanese described the Indian diaspora as the “living bridge” between the two countries and called Modi a “true friend of Australia”. Victoria Premier Jacinta Allan said India was “a country we trust” and that the Indian community had become “part of who we are” in Victoria.
Modi, on his third visit to Australia in 12 years, said bilateral ties had reached “great heights” and credited the Indian community for playing a decisive role in strengthening the partnership.
