Radio Brisvaani
Melbourne, July 9 (Australia India News Newsdesk)
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi reaffirmed their commitment to expanding the Australia–India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership during the third Australia–India Annual Summit in Melbourne, with the two leaders reviewing progress across bilateral ties and charting a roadmap for closer cooperation.
Modi received a ceremonial welcome at Government House before holding bilateral and delegation-level talks with Albanese. The leaders marked six years of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and discussed ways to strengthen cooperation in trade and investment, defence and security, critical minerals, cyber and emerging technologies, space, civil nuclear energy, clean energy, education and people-to-people links.
The two Prime Ministers reiterated their commitment to the early conclusion of a Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) and welcomed the outcomes of the Australia–India CEOs Forum and the Economic Business Roadmap event held earlier in the day. They encouraged businesses from both countries to pursue new investment opportunities in priority sectors.
Education emerged as a key area of cooperation, with the leaders noting the growing presence of Australian universities in India and highlighting the role of academic partnerships in building a skilled workforce, promoting innovation and strengthening bilateral ties.
Albanese and Modi also acknowledged the contribution of the Indian diaspora to Australian society and welcomed the voluntary return to India of three cultural artefacts of Tamil Nadu origin held by Australian institutions.
The summit concluded with the signing of agreements and memoranda of understanding covering maritime security, civil nuclear energy, defence, science and technology, emerging technologies, energy security, education, skill development, film-making, solar energy, traditional knowledge and the repatriation of cultural property.
The two leaders also exchanged views on regional and global developments and reaffirmed their commitment to a free, open and prosperous Indo-Pacific, with Modi thanking Albanese for the hospitality extended to him and the Indian delegation during the visit.
