Modi at Australia-India CEO Forum: Invites businesses to join India's growth push
Synopsis
At the Australia-India CEO Forum in Melbourne, PM Modi made a direct pitch to Australian business leaders, framing India's scale and Australia's expertise as a 'win-win' — spanning critical minerals, AI, fintech, and clean energy. With the forum relaunched just two years ago, this Melbourne edition signals that the bilateral economic agenda is moving from aspiration to execution.
Key Takeaways
PM Narendra Modi addressed the Australia-India CEO Forum in Melbourne on 9 July alongside Australian PM Anthony Albanese .
Modi invited Australian businesses to partner across manufacturing , clean energy , critical minerals , AI , fintech , infrastructure , and the digital economy .
He described India and Australia as 'natural and trusted partners' amid global uncertainty.
The CEO Forum , active since 2012 , was relaunched in 2023 by Modi and Albanese and meets annually to advise heads of government on economic cooperation.
The forum is expected to support implementation of Australia-India trade and investment collaboration across multiple sectors.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 9 July extended a direct invitation to Australian businesses to partner in India's growth story, addressing the Australia-India CEO Forum in Melbourne alongside Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. The forum brought together leading business figures from both nations to deepen economic and investment ties across key sectors.
What Modi Said at the Forum
Speaking at the CEO Forum, Modi highlighted India's strong economic growth, its reform-driven business environment, and an expanding innovation ecosystem. He specifically called on Australian businesses to engage across sectors including manufacturing, clean energy, critical minerals, AI, fintech, infrastructure, and the digital economy. According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Modi noted that 'India's scale and Australia's expertise make for a win-win partnership.'
The Economic Roadmap Reception
Modi also addressed the Economic Roadmap Business Reception held during the forum, greeting business leaders from both countries. He described the two nations as 'natural and trusted partners' amid global uncertainty, and urged deeper collaboration across sectors ranging from clean energy and infrastructure to artificial intelligence and education. He said the presence of business leaders at the reception reflected the 'shared confidence and aspirations' of India and Australia.
About the CEO Forum
The Australia-India CEO Forum has been active since 2012 and was relaunched in 2023 by Modi and Albanese. The forum meets annually and provides direct counsel to heads of government on strategies to enhance economic prosperity for both countries. Throughout the year, it convenes across a range of events focused on strengthening bilateral relations.
Why This Matters
The forum is expected to accelerate implementation of Australia-India collaboration in trade and investment. This comes as India positions itself as a preferred destination for global capital amid supply-chain diversification away from China — a trend in which Australia, with its critical minerals reserves and advanced services sector, is a strategically significant partner. Notably, the relaunched forum in 2023 signalled a step-up in bilateral ambition, and this Melbourne edition reinforces that trajectory.
Point of View
India is competing hard for Australian capital and minerals partnerships. Critical minerals are the real prize here: Australia holds some of the world's largest reserves of lithium, cobalt, and rare earths, while India's EV and clean-energy ambitions create a natural demand pull. The CEO Forum format — annual, head-of-government-endorsed — gives this more institutional heft than a bilateral summit communiqué. The test, as always, will be whether the forum's sectoral recommendations translate into signed agreements and actual investment flows, rather than remaining a high-level networking ritual.
NationPress
9 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Australia-India CEO Forum?
The Australia-India CEO Forum is a bilateral business platform active since 2012 that meets annually to advise the heads of government of both countries on ways to enhance economic prosperity. It was relaunched in 2023 by PM Modi and Australian PM Albanese.
What sectors did PM Modi highlight for Australia-India partnership?
PM Modi highlighted manufacturing, clean energy, critical minerals, AI, fintech, infrastructure, and the digital economy as priority sectors for Australian businesses to partner with India. He described India's scale and Australia's expertise as a 'win-win' combination.
Where and when did PM Modi address the CEO Forum?
PM Modi addressed the Australia-India CEO Forum in Melbourne on 9 July, alongside Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. Both leaders also addressed the Economic Roadmap Business Reception at the same event.
Why is the Australia-India economic partnership significant?
India is positioning itself as a preferred global investment destination amid supply-chain diversification, while Australia holds significant reserves of critical minerals essential to India's clean energy and EV ambitions. The partnership spans complementary strengths across technology, resources, and services.
What did the Ministry of External Affairs say about the forum?
The Ministry of External Affairs posted on X that Modi and Albanese addressed the Australia-India CEOs Forum in Melbourne, noting that Modi highlighted India's strong economic growth, reform-driven business environment, and expanding innovation ecosystem.
