Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday, 9 July held a bilateral meeting with Governor of Victoria, Professor Margaret Gardner AC, at the Government House Victoria in Melbourne, with discussions focused on strengthening educational cooperation between India and Victoria through academic collaborations, research partnerships, and expanded student mobility.

What Was Discussed

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed on X that Governor Gardner welcomed Prime Minister Modi at the Government House, where the two sides reviewed the growing educational linkages between India and Victoria. The MEA noted that 'vibrant people-to-people ties between the two countries are a key pillar of the India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.'

The meeting underscored Victoria's outsized role in India-Australia academic relations — a relationship that has grown steadily over the past decade as Indian students increasingly choose Australian institutions for higher and vocational education.

Indian Students in Victoria: The Numbers

According to the Indian Consulate General in Melbourne, approximately 59,000 Indian international students are currently enrolled across universities in Victoria — the largest concentration of Indian students anywhere in Australia. Melbourne continues to hold its standing as Australia's top student city.

In higher education, Indian students have gravitated toward Management and Commerce, Information Technology, Engineering and Related Technologies, and Health. In Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses, preferences lean toward Food, Hospitality, Personal Services, and Engineering and Related Technologies, the Consulate noted.

The Consulate also flagged that India's growing focus on skills training and workforce development opens new avenues for collaboration with Victoria's TAFE (Technical and Further Education) sector — a potential growth area for both sides.

India-Australia Annual Summit: Broader Agenda

Separately, Prime Minister Modi held the 3rd India-Australia Annual Summit with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in Melbourne, advancing the bilateral Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. The two leaders reviewed cooperation across trade and investment, critical minerals, clean energy, technology, defence and security, education, skills, mobility, science and innovation, culture, sports, and people-to-people ties.

Both leaders also exchanged views on regional and global developments, reaffirming their commitment to a free, open, inclusive, and prosperous Indo-Pacific.

Defence Declaration and MoUs Signed

A significant outcome of the summit was the adoption of the India-Australia Joint Declaration on Defence and Security Cooperation, which, according to the MEA, provides a comprehensive framework for enhanced bilateral engagement across defence, maritime domain awareness, counter-terrorism, combating transnational organised crime, critical minerals, defence industry partnerships, exchange of defence personnel, and regional security.

The summit also saw the finalisation of several Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) spanning defence, maritime security, energy — including nuclear — critical technology, education, and skilling, the MEA confirmed.

Ceremonial Welcome in Melbourne

Earlier on Thursday, Prime Minister Modi received a ceremonial welcome in Melbourne as he officially commenced his Australia visit. He was accorded a guard of honour at the Government House Victoria, where Prime Minister Albanese received him. India's National Anthem was played as Australian forces lined up in ceremonial formation to mark the occasion.

With education MoUs signed and a landmark defence declaration in place, the India-Australia partnership appears to be entering a more structured and outcome-driven phase — one that will be closely watched by both Indian students and strategic analysts alike.