Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the Australia-India CEO Forum in Melbourne on Thursday, 9 July 2026, marking a significant moment in the bilateral economic engagement between the two nations. Modi noted that since 2023, the forum has gained 'remarkable momentum', reflecting growing business confidence in the India-Australia partnership.

Context

In his address, PM Modi thanked Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese for joining the interaction and sharing his vision for the bilateral relationship. The CEO Forum serves as the private-sector track of the broader India-Australia engagement, bringing together senior corporate leaders from both countries to identify trade and investment opportunities.

The forum's growing prominence reflects the deepening of ties that has accelerated since both nations elevated their relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in June 2020.

Policy Backdrop

The bilateral economic relationship received a structural boost with the signing of the India-Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA) in April 2022, which entered into force in December 2022. The agreement reduced tariffs across a wide range of goods and services, laying the foundation for the increased business confidence Modi referenced in his remarks.

India has in recent years actively diversified its economic partnerships across the Indo-Pacific, using mechanisms such as the Quad and bilateral trade pacts to expand cooperation in critical minerals, education, and defence. The CEO Forum functions as a key platform within this broader strategic architecture, running parallel to annual leader-level summits and ministerial dialogues.

Stakeholders and Impact

The forum draws participation from senior business leaders and investors on both sides, giving corporate India and Australian industry a direct channel to shape the agenda of the bilateral relationship. Sectors including critical minerals, clean energy, technology, and education are among the key areas of mutual interest that such dialogues typically advance.

PM Albanese, who has prioritised closer economic and strategic ties with India since taking office in May 2022, participated in the session, lending political weight to the business-level discussions. His presence alongside PM Modi signals continued alignment at the highest levels of government.

What's Next

Attention will now turn to whether the Melbourne engagement produces concrete follow-through, including possible steps toward a review of the ECTA or the launch of full free-trade agreement negotiations. Any joint announcements at upcoming Quad or G20 forums will be closely watched as indicators of how far the two governments intend to push the partnership in the near term.

The trajectory of the Australia-India CEO Forum itself — from a nascent dialogue to a high-momentum platform since 2023 — suggests that the private sector is increasingly aligned with the strategic ambitions of both governments, potentially accelerating the pace of deal-making in the months ahead.