In the second leg of his 3-nation tour, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will reach Melbourne today on a 3-day visit, where he will participate in the third India-Australia Annual Summit with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. Prime Minister Modi will also participate in the India-Australia CEOs Forum, where he will address a gathering of top business leaders from both countries. Mr Modi will also address a large gathering of the Indian Diaspora, who constitute a strong pillar of the India-Australia relationship.
The Bilateral discussions between Prime Minister Modi and his Australian counterpart, the Hon’ble Anthony Albanese, are set to advance cooperation across several key domains. The economic engine of this relationship is accelerating at an unprecedented pace. With two-way trade in goods and services already crossing USD 33 billion in 2025, the ambition to reach USD 100 billion by 2030 is now a tangible objective.
The India-Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA)-providing duty-free access for all Indian exports since January 2026-has catalysed massive capital flows. Beyond traditional trade, the partnership is now defined by “digital-first” investments, such as AirTrunk’s USD 30 billion commitment to AI-ready data centres in India. Simultaneously, the USD 4.5 billion ‘Project Ceres’ fertilizer plant exemplifies ‘Make in India-Make in Australia’ synergy, with Indian industrial expertise providing the modular backbone for Australian production.
Defence and security cooperation has rapidly evolved into a primary pillar of the partnership. Following the 2nd Defence Ministers’ Dialogue in New Delhi on June 1, 2026, the two nations continue to deepen industrial integration and maritime security. This year alone, the nations have participated in many key engagements.
The deep-seated ties are increasingly anchored by the vibrant Indian diaspora, who serve as a vital bridge between the two nations. The Indian diaspora, now numbering over 1 million, stands as Australia’s fastest-growing large community and a vital bridge in public diplomacy. This visit serves to galvanise this community while also opening new chapters in education and research.
With over 102,000 Indian students currently in Australia, the focus is shifting toward collaborative research in advanced computing, space exploration, and MedTech, cementing the two nations as partners in innovation. Further, the Prime Minister will engage directly with this community. In totality, this visit signals a transition from traditional cooperation toward a high-tech, future-ready partnership between two of the region’s most vibrant democracies.
