Modi, Albanese Boost Trade and Defence Ties

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced significant progress in India-Australia relations following wide-ranging talks with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in Melbourne, highlighting new momentum in trade, defence, clean energy and strategic cooperation.

Held wide-ranging discussions with Prime Minister Albanese in Melbourne this afternoon. The India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership of 2022 has continuously expanded the scope of our cooperation. We have now decided to accelerate work on the Comprehensive Economic… pic.twitter.com/484H9hi6Pf

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 9, 2026

Sharing the outcome of the meeting on social media, PM Modi compared the India-Australia partnership to the three formats of cricket, saying the agenda was as focused as a One-Day International, decisions were taken with the speed of T20 cricket, and the relationship was as enduring and deep as a Test match.

Today’s talks have unparalleled outcomes in areas such as renewable energy, climate action, nuclear energy, critical minerals, technology, education and more. Another highlight is the issuing of an important declaration to strengthen defence and security cooperation. Equally… pic.twitter.com/hOeTANEp1W

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 9, 2026

The Prime Minister said the discussions delivered important outcomes across renewable energy, climate action, nuclear energy, critical minerals, technology and education. A key achievement was the adoption of a new declaration to strengthen defence and security cooperation, along with enhanced collaboration in shipbuilding, ship repair and maritime maintenance.

India-Australia meetings are much like cricket:

The agenda is as focused as a One-Day International.

The decisions are as fast as T20 cricket.

The partnership is as long-lasting and deep as a Test match. pic.twitter.com/ENW5w9KNXM

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 9, 2026

The two leaders also reviewed the progress of the India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, established in 2022, and agreed to accelerate negotiations on the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA).

The relationship between Australia and India has never been stronger 🇦🇺🇮🇳

And today we’re building on our ties in defence, trade, investment and energy.

As well as our work in education and technology.

Because together, we can be a force for peace and prosperity in our… pic.twitter.com/o7YPm6MIMq

— Anthony Albanese (@AlboMP) July 9, 2026

PM Modi said both countries are committed to strengthening trade and investment ties through a balanced, ambitious and mutually beneficial CECA, reflecting the remarkable progress made in bilateral relations over the past few years.

The meeting reaffirmed the shared commitment of India and Australia to expanding cooperation across strategic, economic and technological sectors, further reinforcing one of the Indo-Pacific's fastest-growing partnerships.

#WATCH | Cricket is a diplomatic language of India-Australia relations. That is why our meetings also feel like cricket. The agenda has the focus of a one-day match, decisions are as fast as a T20, and the partnership is as long and deep as a Test match. In the coming years,… pic.twitter.com/4FzryNRzXi

— DD News (@DDNewslive) July 9, 2026