Australia-India economic ties: Albanese vows deeper trade push after Modi talks
Synopsis
After face-to-face talks in Melbourne, both Australia and India are signalling a serious push to move beyond rhetoric on bilateral trade. With CECA still unfinished and critical minerals, clean energy, and AI on the table, the Modi-Albanese meeting could mark the moment the partnership shifts from warm words to hard economic architecture.
Key Takeaways
Australian PM Anthony Albanese pledged on 9 July to keep working with business leaders and universities to grow Australia-India economic ties.
Albanese and PM Narendra Modi jointly addressed the Australia-India CEOs Forum in Melbourne .
Modi urged faster conclusion of the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) to deepen bilateral trade.
Key investment sectors identified include clean energy , critical minerals , AI , fintech , and manufacturing .
Modi met former Australian PM Scott Morrison on the sidelines, underscoring bipartisan Australian support for the India relationship.
Both leaders highlighted the role of Australian universities in India as a pillar of future collaboration.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Thursday, 9 July reaffirmed his government's commitment to strengthening economic ties with India, saying he would continue working with business leaders and universities to deepen bilateral trade and investment. The pledge came after Albanese held talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Melbourne, where the two leaders jointly addressed the Australia-India CEOs Forum.
What Albanese Said
In a post on X, Albanese said the two nations are 'growing our economies and backing Australian and Indian businesses.' He credited people-to-people bonds for driving business success stories and outlined plans to keep engaging with universities and industry to unlock further trade and investment opportunities. 'Creating jobs here at home and making the most of the trade and investment opportunities ahead,' he added.
Modi's Pitch to Australian Investors
At the Australia-India CEOs Forum, Prime Minister Modi pitched India as a long-term investment destination, arguing that India's scale and Australia's expertise make for a 'win-win proposition.' He urged the faster conclusion of the proposed Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA), describing it as essential to deepening bilateral economic ties. Modi pointed to investment opportunities across manufacturing, clean energy, critical minerals, mining, infrastructure, urban development, aviation, logistics, artificial intelligence (AI), fintech, food processing, and the digital economy.
Education and Innovation in Focus
Modi also welcomed the growing presence of Australian universities in India, saying deeper collaboration in higher education, research, innovation, and skill development would prepare talent in both countries for future global opportunities. The emphasis on education underscores how the bilateral relationship has evolved well beyond traditional trade in commodities.
Modi Meets Former PM Scott Morrison
On the sidelines, Prime Minister Modi met Scott Morrison, former Prime Minister of Australia, for what officials described as a conversation centred on the enduring India-Australia friendship. The meeting signals the bipartisan nature of Australia's India engagement, with both major political traditions invested in the partnership's growth.
What Comes Next
The push to finalise the CECA will be closely watched by industry on both sides. With critical minerals, clean energy, and digital trade emerging as the new pillars of the relationship, the pace of negotiations is expected to pick up following the leaders' Melbourne engagement. Both governments have signalled that the agreement remains a priority.
Point of View
And the finish line keeps moving. Both sides have strong incentives — Australia needs to diversify export markets beyond China, and India wants technology, critical minerals, and capital — yet the agreement remains unsigned. Modi's direct call for faster conclusion is a signal of impatience as much as optimism. The real test of this partnership will not be CEOs forum speeches but whether the CECA lands with meaningful market-access commitments on both sides, rather than another framework agreement that defers the hard trade-offs.
NationPress
9 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Australian PM Albanese say about India after meeting PM Modi?
Albanese reaffirmed that Australia will keep working with business leaders and universities to grow economic ties with India. He said the two countries are 'growing our economies and backing Australian and Indian businesses,' and highlighted job creation and trade opportunities as priorities.
What is the CECA between Australia and India?
The Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) is a proposed bilateral trade deal aimed at deepening economic ties between Australia and India. PM Modi called for its faster conclusion during the Australia-India CEOs Forum in Melbourne on 9 July, describing it as key to unlocking broader trade and investment flows.
Which sectors did PM Modi highlight for Australian investment in India?
PM Modi identified manufacturing, clean energy, critical minerals, mining, infrastructure, urban development, aviation, logistics, artificial intelligence, fintech, food processing, and the digital economy as priority areas for Australian investment in India.
Why did PM Modi meet Scott Morrison in Melbourne?
PM Modi met former Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison on the sidelines of his Melbourne visit for a conversation on India-Australia friendship. The meeting highlighted the bipartisan nature of Australia's commitment to the bilateral relationship.
What role do Australian universities play in the India-Australia partnership?
PM Modi welcomed the growing presence of Australian universities in India, emphasising that collaboration in higher education, research, innovation, and skill development would help prepare talent in both countries for future global opportunities.
