Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit Australia this week for talks aimed at strengthening the India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, with defence, trade, energy, critical minerals and education expected to dominate the agenda.
As part of his three-nation tour, Modi will travel to Melbourne for bilateral discussions with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. The two leaders are expected to review progress in strategic cooperation and explore ways to expand collaboration in key sectors.
In his departure statement, Modi said he looked forward to "wide-ranging discussions" with Albanese to advance cooperation in trade and investment, critical minerals, energy, defence and security, education and innovation. He is also scheduled to attend the India-Australia CEOs Forum and interact with members of the Indian diaspora in Melbourne.
The visit comes amid rapidly expanding ties between the two countries, underpinned by growing strategic convergence in the Indo-Pacific and increasing economic engagement.
Trade and investment are expected to feature prominently during the talks. Bilateral commerce has grown significantly in recent years, while negotiations continue on a Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) to further liberalise trade and improve market access.
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Energy security will also be a major focus, with Australia remaining a key supplier of coal, liquefied natural gas and other energy resources to India. Both countries are also expected to discuss cooperation in critical minerals and green energy supply chains, considered vital for the clean energy transition.
Defence and maritime security cooperation, particularly in the Indian Ocean region, is likely to be another key agenda item as New Delhi and Canberra seek to deepen coordination in ensuring a free, open and rules-based Indo-Pacific.
Education and people-to-people ties are also expected to receive attention. Australia hosts more than one million people of Indian origin, while Indian students continue to form one of the largest international student communities in the country.
Ahead of the visit, Australian High Commissioner to India Philip Green said the relationship was driven by shared strategic interests, complementary economies and strong community links, expressing confidence that the visit would provide fresh momentum to bilateral cooperation.
The visit is expected to reinforce one of India's fastest-growing strategic partnerships and lay the groundwork for deeper collaboration across security, economic and technological sectors.
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