India, Australia sign uranium supply pact, launch Critical Minerals Corridor

New Delhi: The two countries also agreed to accelerate negotiations on a Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement, strengthen defence cooperation, and expand collaboration in critical technologies and clean energy. Melbourne: India and Australia on Thursday unveiled a series of major agreements covering defence, energy, critical minerals and trade, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese describing the bilateral relationship as entering a new phase of strategic cooperation. The announcements came after the third Australia-India Annual Leaders' Summit in Melbourne, where the two leaders held delegation-level talks before issuing a joint statement. A key outcome of the summit was the signing of the final administrative arrangement under the Nuclear Cooperation Agreement, paving the way for long-term Australian uranium exports to India. The agreement is expected to support India's clean energy ambitions by ensuring a stable supply of uranium for its civilian nuclear programme. The two countries also launched a dedicated Australia-India Critical Minerals Corridor to strengthen cooperation in securing supplies of critical minerals essential for clean energy technologies, electric vehicles and advanced manufacturing. To bolster regional security, India and Australia signed a Joint Declaration on Defence and Security Cooperation, institutionalised an Annual Defence Ministers' Dialogue, and unveiled a Maritime Security Collaboration Roadmap aimed at enhancing cooperation in the Indo-Pacific. Addressing the media, Modi described India and Australia as "vibrant democracies and important ocean powers", saying the Indo-Pacific reflects the shared aspirations of like-minded nations. He said the partnership is entering an expansive phase built on deep mutual trust. Economic ties also received a boost, with both sides agreeing to accelerate negotiations on a balanced and mutually beneficial Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA), while also working towards a Bilateral Investment Treaty. The move builds on the Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA), which came into force in 2022. The summit also saw the operationalisation of the Australia-India Partnership on Cyber, Critical Technologies and Supply Chains (AI-PACTS), aimed at expanding collaboration in emerging technologies and strengthening resilient supply chains. In the renewable energy sector, the two countries highlighted progress under their Renewable Energy Partnership, including the establishment of a Rooftop Solar Training Academy in Gujarat to provide skills training for women and youth. The leaders also welcomed growing educational cooperation, with Australian universities expanding their presence through new branch campuses in Bengaluru and Gurugram. Albanese said the Indian diaspora in Australia continues to be a vital pillar of bilateral ties, describing the community as a bridge connecting the two countries across business, education and culture. Summing up the partnership, Modi said the two nations' decision-making was "swift as a T20, focused like a One-Day match and enduring like a Test match", underscoring the long-term nature of the strategic relationship.