Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday met Australia’s Leader of the Opposition Angus Taylor and discussed the growing strength of India-Australia relations and opportunities to further expand cooperation between the two countries.

The meeting came a day after India and Australia announced several major agreements following Modi’s talks with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, including initiatives to deepen defence and maritime security cooperation and operationalise the civil nuclear agreement enabling uranium exports to India.

PM Modi Highlights Broad Support For India-Australia Partnership

Modi said he held an engaging conversation with Taylor on bilateral relations and the opportunities available to strengthen cooperation between India and Australia.

“Met Mr. Angus Taylor, Leader of the Opposition of Australia. We had an engaging conversation on the growing strength of India-Australia ties and the many opportunities ahead. I deeply value the warmth and broad support that our partnership enjoys across Australia,” Modi said in a post on X.

Taylor had welcomed Modi to Australia on Thursday and highlighted the friendship between the two countries and the contribution of the Australian-Indian community.

“Welcome to Australia, Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Our nations share a great friendship, a proud Australian-Indian community and a future full of opportunity,” Taylor said in a post on X.

India, Australia Expand Defence And Maritime Security Cooperation

Modi’s meeting with Taylor followed the Third India-Australia Annual Summit, during which India and Australia announced 18 major outcomes covering defence, maritime security, energy, cyber and critical technologies, education, mining, research and cultural cooperation.

Among the significant outcomes were the adoption of the India-Australia Joint Declaration on Defence and Security Cooperation and the India-Australia Maritime Security Collaboration Roadmap.

The two countries also agreed to operationalise the civil nuclear agreement, enabling uranium exports from Australia to India.

The agreements marked a major expansion of the India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

Defence Agreements Reflect Changing Strategic Circumstances

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said the two defence-related initiatives recognised the need for the bilateral partnership to adapt to changing geopolitical circumstances.

“One of the key outcomes of the meeting today was the adoption of the Joint Declaration on Defence and Security Cooperation, as well as an India-Australia Maritime Security Collaboration Roadmap. These constitute recognition that the partnership must evolve to meet changing strategic circumstances, and they reflect a commitment to advancing our defence and security partnership,” Misri said.

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