Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi touched down in Melbourne, Australia on Wednesday evening, receiving a red-carpet welcome ahead of a high-profile meeting with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese scheduled for Thursday.
The two leaders are expected to cover a broad range of topics, including critical minerals, trade, defence cooperation, and security matters. Modi had previously made a visit to Australia in 2023.
According to a report published Wednesday by the Australian Financial Review, the two countries may finalize an agreement on uranium exports to India. While both nations reached a nuclear cooperation agreement back in 2014, actual uranium exports have remained limited due to concerns over ensuring the nuclear fuel is used exclusively for peaceful purposes, such as generating electricity.
When reporters asked Albanese about the possibility of a uranium export deal, he offered a measured response. “I’ll have more to say about that with Prime Minister Modi,” he said, adding, “But we’ve engaged constructively, and so I look forward to — there’ll be a range of announcements that we make together.”
India ranks as Australia’s fifth-largest trading partner, behind China, Japan, the United States, and South Korea. Approximately one million people living in Australia claim Indian heritage.
On Thursday evening, Modi is expected to attend an event at one of Melbourne’s largest sports stadiums, where thousands of expatriate Indians are anticipated to gather. Australian media reported that security has been increased near the venue following word of potential protests.
Modi has a well-established tradition of drawing massive crowds at overseas events, having addressed packed stadiums in the United Kingdom, the United States, and other countries home to large Indian diaspora communities. During his last Australian visit three years ago, thousands of supporters packed one of Sydney’s largest indoor arenas.
Before arriving in Australia, Modi made a stop in Indonesia, where he signed a series of agreements covering agriculture and defence, including a deal involving the BrahMos cruise missile system. He is scheduled to depart for New Zealand on Friday afternoon before heading back to India.
