Australia and India finalize uranium export deal during Modi's visit

Australia and India signed an administrative arrangement on July 9, 2026, enabling long-term Australian uranium exports to India for exclusively peaceful purposes. The deal, finalized during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Melbourne, ends a decade-long stalemate over fears the fuel could be used for weapons. Source: AP News

Uranium deal

India, which aims for 100 gigawatts of nuclear capacity by 2047, has long sought access to Australia's uranium reserves—about 28% of the world's total. Exports will fall under International Atomic Energy Agency safeguards. Source: Al Jazeera However, the Indian opposition Congress party disputed the BJP's claim of a breakthrough, noting that Australia's Labour Party approved uranium sales to India in 2011 following the U.S.-India nuclear pact. Source: The Hindu

Security and economic cooperation

Alongside the nuclear pact, Modi and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese signed a Joint Declaration on Defense and Security Cooperation, described as a "step-change" in ties, and an India-Australia Maritime Security Collaboration Roadmap. They also agreed to boost cooperation on critical minerals and supply chains. Source: The Diplomat

Diaspora engagement

Modi addressed a crowd of 35,000 Indian-Australians at Melbourne's Marvel Stadium, underscoring the diaspora's growing political influence. The visit also saw minor security incidents, including a death threat and a protest by a far-right influencer. Source: The Guardian