Australia is set to begin uranium exports to India as the two nations unveiled a series of commitments during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s official state visit.
Modi and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese signed an “administrative arrangement” to allow for uranium exports to India for peaceful purposes under the 2015 Australia–India Nuclear Cooperation Agreement.
Australia has one-third of the world’s raw uranium, while India has plans to massively increase its nuclear power generation from 8 gigawatts to 100 gigawatts by 2047.
“Australia’s natural resources are vital for other countries’ energy security and stability, and we look forward to becoming a reliable, trusted supplier of uranium to India,” said Albanese in a statement.
Despite the cooperation deal being signed a decade ago, uranium exports have stymied amid concerns the mineral could be used for military purposes.
Meanwhile, both countries reaffirmed their commitment to expanding trade in energy resources and critical minerals. India is Australia’s fourth-largest export market for refined petroleum, while critical minerals are essential for advanced technologies such as smartphones, permanent magnets and fighter jets.
Modi and Albanese also signed a memorandum of understanding on the trilateral Australia-Canada-India Technology and Innovation (ACITI) Partnership, which will strengthen cooperation on critical and emerging technologies.
In addition, the Australian government granted “major project status” to Project Ceres, set to be the largest urea plant in the country. Urea is a key fertiliser used in farming.
A new space tracking terminal will be established on Australia’s remote external territory of the Cocos (Keeling) Islands to support four missions under India’s flagship Gaganyaan Human Space Flight Program.
The leaders also trumpeted ongoing education ties, this time with the establishment of a campus for Flinders University in India, and expansion of services by Western Australian TAFE.
This year, Australia has pledged about $10 million (US$6.9 million) towards 41 projects organised by the Centre for Australia-India Relations.
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Defence was also top of mind, with both leaders noting the “geostrategic uncertainty” in the region while encouraging all nations to “work together peacefully” without the threat or use of force.
India and Australia will look to expand the scale of their defence exercises, build interoperability between their militaries, increase aircraft deployments, and cooperate further on maritime cooperation, cyber security, countering terrorism in all forms, as well as combatting human trafficking.
“We reaffirm our unwavering commitment to an open, peaceful, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific region underpinned by: a rules-based architecture based on adherence to international law; respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity; an open, stable and secure maritime domain underpinned by adherence to the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) including freedom of navigation and overflight; and effective, inclusive and transparent institutions,” a joint statement said.
In a separate interview, Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles said the Chinese Communist Party’s recent ballistic missile test was a concern.
“There is definitely a shared sense of concern about China testing a long range missile capability, which they have said, could carry a nuclear warhead which was launched from a submarine, which has its own implications in terms of extended range,” he told ABC Afternoon Briefing.
“Building that defence relationship with India is part of what we are seeking to do to increase our overall defence relationships with countries.”
The meeting comes amid a flurry of diplomatic activity among regional leaders to strengthen defence ties in the face of Beijing’s ongoing aggression.
Just a week ago, Modi met with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi pledging to cooperate on artificial intelligence, metals, energy and defence, and prepare a roadmap for economic security.
Modi will also visit New Zealand after Australia—the first visit by an Indian leader in 40 years—as the country beds down the New Zealand-India Free Trade Deal.
“It will reduce or eliminate tariffs on 95 percent of New Zealand’s exports to India once fully implemented. From day one, 57 percent of our exports will be tariff-free,” said New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, in a statement.
