MELBOURNE, Australia, Jul 12 – Australia and India have signed a landmark agreement allowing the export of Australian uranium to support India’s growing nuclear energy sector, marking a significant step in the deepening strategic partnership between the two countries.
The agreement was announced following talks between Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during Modi’s visit to Australia.
“We have signed an important agreement today on nuclear energy,” Modi said.
“This will pave the way for uranium supplies from Australia to India and give our clean energy objectives fresh momentum.”
Under the agreement, Australian uranium exports to India will be used exclusively for peaceful purposes and will be subject to safeguards overseen by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
Australia holds about 28 percent of the world’s known uranium reserves, making it a key potential supplier as India seeks to expand its nuclear power generation capacity to 100 gigawatts by 2047 as part of its clean energy transition.
Albanese said the deal would support India’s efforts to increase non-fossil fuel energy production while strengthening bilateral economic ties.
“The arrangement facilitates Australian uranium exports to India to help increase the share of non-fossil-fuel power capacity,” he said.
Although Australia and India signed a civil nuclear cooperation agreement in 2014, uranium exports have remained limited due to concerns over nuclear proliferation. The new agreement is expected to provide greater certainty for long-term supply arrangements.
Beyond energy cooperation, the two leaders agreed to enhance defence collaboration and strengthen supply chains for critical minerals, reflecting growing strategic convergence between the Indo-Pacific partners.
Australia and India also announced plans to establish a temporary space tracking terminal on Australia’s Cocos (Keeling) Islands in support of India’s ambitious space programme, including future human spaceflight missions.
Albanese credited Modi’s leadership for the rapid expansion of relations between the two countries.
“Prime Minister Modi, your leadership and your personal engagement with Australia has been absolutely central to this change,” he said.
India is Australia’s fifth-largest trading partner, with two-way trade in goods and services valued at A$54.4 billion (US$37.7 billion) in the 2024-25 financial year.
Modi arrived in Australia from Indonesia, where he signed agreements on agriculture and defence cooperation, and is expected to travel to New Zealand before concluding his three-nation tour.
