India and Australia have signed a landmark agreement to facilitate long-term uranium supplies for India’s civilian nuclear energy programme, marking a significant step in expanding bilateral cooperation on clean energy and strengthening strategic ties between the two countries.
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Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the agreement after talks with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in Melbourne. Modi said the deal would support India’s growing nuclear energy ambitions and provide fresh momentum to the country’s clean energy objectives as demand for electricity continues to rise.
According to a joint statement, the agreement allows Australia to export uranium to India exclusively for peaceful purposes under safeguards established by the International Atomic Energy Agency. Australia possesses around 28 percent of the world’s known uranium resources, making it one of the largest potential suppliers of nuclear fuel.
Albanese said the arrangement would help India increase the share of non-fossil fuel sources in its energy mix while reinforcing the long-standing strategic partnership between Canberra and New Delhi. Although India and Australia signed a civil nuclear cooperation agreement in 2015, legal and regulatory hurdles had limited uranium exports until now.
The two leaders also discussed expanding cooperation in trade, investment and regional security during Modi’s visit. Albanese praised Modi’s role in strengthening bilateral relations, while the Indian prime minister highlighted the growing partnership between the two Indo-Pacific nations.
Modi’s visit comes as Australia’s Indian-origin community has grown rapidly in recent years, becoming the country’s largest overseas-born diaspora. He is expected to address a large community gathering in Melbourne before continuing his regional tour to New Zealand. However, the visit has also drawn planned demonstrations from groups critical of the Indian government’s domestic policies and immigration issues.
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The uranium agreement is expected to enhance energy cooperation between the two countries while supporting India’s plans to expand nuclear power generation as part of its long-term transition toward cleaner sources of electricity.