India-Australia agreed to operationalise Civil Nuclear Cooperation Agreement

India and Australia have agreed to operationalise their Civil Nuclear Cooperation Agreement, paving the way for the export of Australian uranium to India for peaceful civilian nuclear purposes.

• The announcement was made during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Australia from 8–10 July 2026 for the Third India–Australia Annual Summit in Melbourne, at the invitation of Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
• The agreement on civil nuclear energy to facilitate the commercial supply of uranium from Australia to India to fuel New Delhi’s nuclear power projects came nearly 12 years after the two countries inked a historic civil nuclear cooperation pact in 2014.
• According to the World Nuclear Association, Australia’s known uranium resources are the world’s largest, almost one-third of the world total.
• In 2022, Australia produced 4,820 tonnes of uranium. It was the world’s fourth-largest producer, accounting for 8 per cent of global uranium production. All Australia’s uranium production is exported.
• The Third India–Australia Annual Summit resulted in 18 agreements and initiatives covering defence, maritime security, energy, cyber security, critical technologies, education, mining, research, and cultural cooperation.

Key Outcomes of the Summit

• The two countries adopted the India–Australia Joint Declaration on Defence and Security Cooperation (JDDSC) to strengthen their comprehensive strategic partnership.
• They also launched the India–Australia Maritime Security Collaboration Roadmap (MSCR) to enhance cooperation in the Indo-Pacific maritime domain.
• The JDDSC builds upon the 2009 Joint Declaration on Security Cooperation and expands collaboration in defence and military cooperation, maritime security, cyber security, defence industries, counter-terrorism, Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR), emerging and critical technologies, regional security.
• India and Australia agreed to establish an Annual Defence Ministers’ Dialogue to deepen strategic consultations and defence cooperation.
• The leaders also welcomed the growing scale and complexity of bilateral military exercises conducted under the Mutual Logistics Support Arrangement (MLSA).

Technology and Supply Chain Cooperation

• The two countries reaffirmed cooperation in cyber security, critical and emerging technologies, resilient supply chains, and strategic technologies through the Australia–India Partnership on Cyber, Critical Technologies and Supply Chains (PACTS).
• The agreements reflect the commitment of both countries to strengthen their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, promote a free, open, inclusive, and rules-based Indo-Pacific, and enhance cooperation in areas of shared strategic interest.

Sources: The Hindu, PIB, Etc.

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