Melbourne: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to hold talks with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in Melbourne on Thursday as part of the third annual India-Australia Summit, with both leaders expected to discuss a broad range of issues aimed at strengthening the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries. Key areas of focus include cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region, critical minerals, supply chain resilience, education, trade and investment.
The meeting comes a day after Prime Minister Modi arrived in Melbourne on the Australia leg of his three-nation diplomatic tour. Shortly after his arrival, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal welcomed the visit, stating that the Prime Minister had received a warm reception in Australia and would co-chair the summit with Albanese while engaging with stakeholders from various sectors to deepen bilateral cooperation.
Prime Minister Modi also shared a message on social media, expressing confidence that the visit would inject fresh momentum into India-Australia ties. He said he looked forward to his discussions with Albanese and to interacting with members of the Indian diaspora, describing them as an important pillar of the relationship between the two nations.
This marks Modi’s third visit to Australia and his first visit to Melbourne in 12 years. The summit is expected to reinforce collaboration between the two Quad partners at a time when the Indo-Pacific continues to hold growing geopolitical significance. Officials said the discussions would support India’s MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions) vision while promoting regional stability, prosperity and greater cooperation, particularly for Small Island Developing States.
In a rare diplomatic gesture, Governor-General of Australia Sam Mostyn AC is scheduled to travel to Melbourne to meet Prime Minister Modi. According to officials, the move reflects the maturity and strength of bilateral relations between India and Australia.
Economic engagement is also expected to feature prominently during the visit. Prime Minister Modi will address the 2026 India-Australia CEO Forum, where business leaders from both countries are expected to explore opportunities for expanding cooperation in trade, investment, critical minerals and supply chain development. Officials believe the forum will further strengthen economic ties and encourage greater commercial collaboration across multiple sectors.
The Prime Minister will also participate in a large community event with members of the Indian diaspora. Officials noted that people of Indian origin now number close to one million in Australia, making the community the country’s fastest-growing large diaspora and a vital bridge in bilateral relations.
Education is another major area of cooperation expected to receive attention during the visit. Australia has emerged as an important partner under India’s National Education Policy, with Flinders University recently becoming the latest Australian institution to receive approval to establish a campus in India. With this development, eight Australian universities have now been cleared to set up campuses across the country, reflecting the expanding educational partnership between the two nations.
The summit is expected to further strengthen diplomatic, economic and strategic cooperation, while opening new avenues for collaboration in areas of shared interest and reinforcing the long-term partnership between India and Australia.
