Addressing the gathering alongside Albanese, Prime Minister Modi described cricket as a “diplomatic” language connecting the two countries. He said India-Australia engagements resembled the different formats of the game, with discussions focused like a One-Day match, decisions moving as quickly as a T20 game, and the partnership remaining as deep and enduring as a Test match.
Prime Minister Modi arrived in Australia on Wednesday, July 8, as part of his three-nation tour aimed at strengthening trade and defence relations. He reached Australia from Indonesia, where he began his tour.
Expressing gratitude for the welcome extended to him and his delegation, Modi said India and Australia are two important ocean powers. He added that bilateral cooperation had reached new levels following the third Annual Summit between the two countries.
The two leaders signed a series of agreements to expand cooperation in key areas, including civil nuclear energy, maritime security and critical minerals, while committing to provide fresh momentum to bilateral ties.
The agreement on civil nuclear energy will facilitate the commercial supply of uranium from Australia to India, supporting New Delhi’s nuclear power projects. Prime Minister Modi said the agreement would open the way for uranium supplies from Australia and strengthen India’s clean energy objectives.
Highlighting the importance of critical minerals, Modi said cooperation in this sector was essential for strategic security and the clean energy transition. He announced the launch of the Australia-India Partnership on cyber security, critical technologies and supply chains.
At the conclusion of the Third Australia-India Annual Summit, both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to a free, open, rules-based and peaceful Indo-Pacific region. Prime Minister Modi emphasised the expanding defence cooperation between the two countries, stating that the Indo-Pacific represents not only the meeting point of two oceans but also the shared aspirations of like-minded democracies such as India and Australia.
The two countries also issued a Joint Declaration to strengthen defence and security cooperation. Through the India-Australia Defence Innovation Corridor, both nations will work towards connecting defence startups and industries.
Addressing global security challenges, Prime Minister Modi said terrorism remains a serious threat not only to individual nations but to all of humanity. He said India and Australia share a common fight against terrorism, with an unwavering commitment to strengthen cooperation.
Modi also stressed that ongoing tensions and conflicts in different parts of the world can only be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy. He said both countries would continue working together to strengthen peace, stability, freedom of navigation and a rules-based order across the Indo-Pacific region.
The India-Australia relationship has long been strengthened by their shared passion for cricket. Matches between the two nations have developed into one of the most intense rivalries in international cricket, producing several memorable moments, including Australia’s victory over India in the final of the 2023 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup in Ahmedabad.
The latest agreements and discussions between the two leaders mark a significant step in expanding strategic cooperation between India and Australia across energy, defence, technology, security and regional stability.
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