Australia and India Sign Uranium Export Agreement During PM Modi's Visit

On July 9, 2026, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a landmark agreement in Melbourne to export Australian uranium to India for nuclear energy purposes. This deal aims to support India's clean energy objectives and enhance bilateral cooperation in nuclear energy.

Uranium Exports for Clean Energy

The agreement enables long-term uranium exports from Australia to India, which will be used exclusively for peaceful purposes. Prime Minister Modi emphasized, “This will pave the way for uranium supplies from Australia to India and give our clean energy objectives fresh momentum.” This initiative is part of India’s target to achieve 100 gigawatts of nuclear energy capacity by 2047.

Australia, possessing approximately 28 percent of the world’s uranium reserves, is looking to diversify its trade partnerships beyond its main trading partner, China. Albanese stated, “The arrangement facilitates Australian uranium exports to India to help increase the share of non-fossil-fuel power capacity.”

International Safeguards and Cooperation

The uranium exports will be conducted under the safeguards of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), ensuring that the nuclear material is utilized solely for non-military purposes. This is a significant step forward in the nuclear cooperation agreement established between India and Australia in 2014, which had been limited due to concerns over the potential use of uranium for weaponry.

In addition to the uranium deal, Modi and Albanese agreed to strengthen defense cooperation and improve supply chains for critical minerals. The two leaders also discussed plans for a “temporary space tracking terminal” on Australia’s Cocos Keeling Islands, which will assist Indian space flight initiatives.

Strengthening Bilateral Relations

Prime Minister Albanese acknowledged Modi’s leadership in fostering closer ties between the two nations. He remarked, “Prime Minister Modi, your leadership and your personal engagement with Australia has been absolutely central to this change.” The growing relationship is reflected in the two-way trade in goods and services, which reached 54.4 billion Australian dollars (approximately US$37.7 billion) in the 2024-2025 financial year, making India Australia’s fifth largest trading partner.

Modi’s visit to Australia follows his discussions in Indonesia, where he signed agreements on agriculture and defense, before heading to New Zealand.