India and Australia have reached a long-term uranium supply agreement aimed at supporting India’s expanding nuclear energy programme, marking a significant step in strengthening energy cooperation between the two countries.
The agreement was announced following talks between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese during Modi’s official visit to Australia.
Speaking after the meeting, Modi said the agreement would open the way for Australian uranium exports to India and provide fresh momentum to the country’s clean energy ambitions. India has identified nuclear power as a key part of its long-term strategy to meet rapidly growing electricity demand while reducing dependence on fossil fuels.
As the world’s most populous nation, India is seeking to expand its nuclear power capacity over the coming years to improve energy security and support its climate objectives.
Australia holds around 28% of the world’s known uranium resources, making it one of the leading suppliers of the mineral. However, despite a civil nuclear cooperation agreement signed by both countries in 2015, uranium exports to India have remained limited because of regulatory requirements and political considerations.
According to a joint statement issued after the talks, the new arrangement allows long-term Australian uranium exports for exclusively peaceful civilian use. All shipments will remain subject to safeguards established by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to ensure compliance with international nuclear standards.
Anthony Albanese said the agreement would help increase the share of electricity generated from non-fossil fuel sources while strengthening the broader strategic partnership between Australia and India. He also praised Modi’s contribution to the growing relationship between the two countries, describing the Indian Prime Minister’s leadership and engagement as central to closer bilateral cooperation.
The agreement forms part of a broader effort by both governments to deepen collaboration across energy, trade, investment and regional security.
People-to-people ties between the two countries have also expanded significantly in recent years. Official Australian statistics released earlier this year showed that, for the first time, people born in India now represent the country’s largest overseas-born community.
Teesta Prakash of the Australia India Institute said the growth reflects a major demographic shift. She noted that the Indian diaspora, which was relatively small in 2014, has become Australia’s largest migrant community, surpassing those born in the United Kingdom.
During the visit, Modi was also expected to attend a large community gathering in Melbourne, where organisers anticipated an audience of more than 20,000 people.
The visit has also attracted opposition from several groups. Australia’s Alliance Against Islamophobia announced plans to demonstrate outside the event, citing concerns over the treatment of minority communities in India. A separate protest focusing on immigration to Australia was also expected to take place.
Following the conclusion of the Australian visit, Modi is scheduled to travel to New Zealand as part of a wider regional tour.
The uranium supply agreement is expected to strengthen India’s long-term energy strategy by providing access to a reliable source of nuclear fuel while reinforcing Australia’s position as a trusted supplier of resources supporting the global transition to lower-carbon energy.
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