Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese concluded the 3rd India-Australia Annual Summit in Melbourne on 9 July 2026 with the goal of fast-tracking the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA). 

Prime Minister Modi was warmly received by Prime Minister Albanese and accorded a ceremonial welcome.

After one-on-one discussions followed by delegation level talks, the two Prime Ministers applauded successful completion of six years of the India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. They agreed to further deepen cooperation in priority areas, including trade and investment, defence and security, critical minerals, cyber and emerging technologies, space, civil nuclear, clean energy, education, and people-to-people ties.

The Australia-India CEOs Forum created an Economic Business Roadmap event to explore new investment opportunities in priority sectors. A highlight was the continued expansion of education cooperation between the two countries. The growing presence of Australian universities in India was noted, especially the contribution of educational partnerships towards building a future-ready workforce, fostering innovation, and strengthening people-to-people ties.

Australia has voluntarily returned to India several cultural artefacts held by Australian institutions. These artefacts of Tamil Nadu origin – a stone sculpture of sacred Nandi, a metal Trident with the image of Bhadrakali, and a six headed Karthikeya statue in stone - will be transported back to India in due course. 

Several MoUs/ agreements were exchanged in the fields of maritime security, civil nuclear energy, skill development, emerging technologies, science and technology and film making. Concluded bilateral documents are from the fields of defence and security, energy security, education, repatriation of cultural properties, solar energy, traditional knowledge and education. The full list of outcomes is attached. 

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed a record 30,000 gathering of the Indian community on 9th July 2026 at Marvel Stadium in Melbourne. In a special gesture, the Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese not only joined the diaspora event but called Modi his ‘friend’ and praised the Indian community for strengthening Australia’s multiculturalism. 

Modi thanked Albanese for growing India-Australia relations, including the welfare of the Indian diaspora. Modi said the Indian diaspora propelled the bilateral relationship while playing an important role in Australia’s social fabric. He mentioned that Indians preserved their cultural traditions and were sharing their colour, warmth and vibrancy with the local people. Modi noted that education was one of the strongest pillars of the bilateral relationship with scores of Indian students in Australia and the growing number of Australian Universities opening campuses in India.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 10th July 2026 visited the Melbourne Cricket Ground accompanied by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and the Premier of Victoria, Jacinta Allan, for an event celebrating India-Australia sporting ties. Several Australian sporting legends, including Mr. Steve Waugh and Ms. Lisa Sthalekar, were present at the event. The visit underscored the growing importance of sports, cultural exchanges and people-to-people ties as pillars of the India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

The two Prime Ministers jointly released the India-Australia Sports Collaboration Roadmap which would promote cooperation in the fields of sports training and capacity building, sports science and technology, and sports industry and investment. It also aims to organize an India-Australia Youth Sports Festival. The two leaders welcomed the growing collaboration between India and Australia in the field of sports.