India and Australia on Thursday agreed to allow the export of Australian uranium for India’s civilian nuclear programme, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese signed a series of agreements aimed at expanding cooperation in defence, energy, technology and critical minerals.

Following talks in Melbourne, the two leaders announced they had finalised the administrative arrangements needed to implement the Australia-India Nuclear Cooperation Agreement, clearing the way for Australian uranium exports to India for exclusively peaceful purposes under International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) safeguards.

The two countries also unveiled a joint declaration on defence and security, a roadmap for cooperation on cyber security, critical technologies and supply chains, and agreements to strengthen collaboration in maritime security and critical minerals.

Addressing a joint press conference, Modi said the civil nuclear agreement would support India’s clean energy ambitions while opening a new chapter in bilateral cooperation.

He said India and Australia would also establish a critical minerals partnership, strengthen defence innovation through closer collaboration between industries and startups, and expand cooperation in shipbuilding, ship repair and maritime security.

Highlighting the strategic importance of the Indo-Pacific, Modi said both countries remained committed to maintaining peace, stability, freedom of navigation and a rules-based regional order.

He also reaffirmed their shared resolve to combat terrorism and pursue dialogue to resolve global conflicts.

Albanese described India as one of Australia’s most important strategic partners, saying the uranium agreement would support India’s transition towards cleaner energy while creating new opportunities for Australia’s resources sector.

He said the new defence and security declaration would deepen military cooperation through greater strategic coordination, expanded joint exercises and enhanced interoperability between the armed forces of the two countries.

The two leaders also agreed to accelerate negotiations on a Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement and a bilateral investment protection treaty as part of efforts to further strengthen economic ties.