Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to arrive in Melbourne today on the second leg of his three-nation diplomatic tour for a three-day visit aimed at further strengthening the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between India and Australia. During the visit, Prime Minister Modi will participate in the third India-Australia Annual Summit with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, hold high-level bilateral talks, address leading business executives at the India-Australia CEOs Forum, and interact with the vibrant Indian diaspora.
The visit comes at a time when relations between the two Indo-Pacific partners are witnessing unprecedented momentum across trade, defence, technology, education and people-to-people exchanges. Both leaders are expected to review progress on existing agreements while exploring new avenues of cooperation in emerging sectors critical to the future global economy.
A major highlight of the visit will be the Annual Summit, where Prime Minister Modi and Prime Minister Albanese will discuss ways to expand collaboration in areas such as trade, critical minerals, clean energy, digital technology, artificial intelligence, maritime security and regional stability. The meeting is expected to produce several outcomes that reinforce the strategic partnership between the two democracies.
Economic cooperation has emerged as one of the strongest pillars of bilateral ties. Trade between India and Australia has gathered remarkable pace, with two-way trade in goods and services surpassing USD 33 billion in 2025. Both countries are now working towards an ambitious target of increasing bilateral trade to USD 100 billion by 2030.
The India-Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA), which has provided duty-free access for all Indian exports since January 2026, has significantly boosted commercial engagement and investment flows. The agreement has expanded market access for Indian exporters while encouraging Australian companies to deepen their presence in India's rapidly growing economy.
The evolving partnership is also being shaped by major investments in next-generation industries. Australian data centre company AirTrunk's planned investment of USD 30 billion in AI-ready data centres in India reflects growing confidence in India's digital economy. Likewise, the USD 4.5 billion 'Project Ceres' fertiliser plant represents a new model of industrial collaboration, combining Australian manufacturing with Indian engineering expertise under the broader vision of "Make in India-Make in Australia."
Prime Minister Modi is also scheduled to address the India-Australia CEOs Forum, where leading business figures from both countries will discuss opportunities in digital infrastructure, renewable energy, manufacturing, innovation, logistics and emerging technologies. The forum is expected to play an important role in encouraging private-sector partnerships and expanding cross-border investments.
Defence and security cooperation has become another defining feature of India-Australia relations. Following the second Defence Ministers' Dialogue held in New Delhi on June 1, 2026, both countries have accelerated collaboration in defence manufacturing, maritime security, joint military exercises and Indo-Pacific cooperation. Their expanding security partnership reflects a shared commitment to ensuring a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific region.
Beyond government-to-government engagement, the Indian diaspora continues to play a pivotal role in strengthening bilateral ties. With more than one million people of Indian origin now living in Australia, the community has become Australia's fastest-growing large diaspora and an important bridge connecting the two nations culturally, socially and economically.
Prime Minister Modi will address a large gathering of the Indian community during his visit, acknowledging its contribution to Australia's development while highlighting its role in enhancing India's global engagement. Such interactions have become a hallmark of the Prime Minister's overseas visits and reinforce people-to-people connections that underpin the broader strategic relationship.
Education and research are also expected to feature prominently during the discussions. More than 102,000 Indian students are currently pursuing higher education in Australia, making India one of the country's largest sources of international students. Both governments are looking to expand collaboration in advanced computing, space research, medical technology and innovation ecosystems, creating opportunities for joint research, academic exchanges and skill development.
Prime Minister Modi's visit reflects the transformation of India-Australia ties from a traditional bilateral relationship into a comprehensive partnership driven by technology, innovation, economic integration and strategic cooperation. As both nations seek to navigate an increasingly complex global landscape, the Melbourne summit is expected to lay the foundation for deeper collaboration across emerging sectors while reinforcing their shared democratic values and commitment to regional prosperity.
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