Modi, Albanese hold Melbourne talks

Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in Melbourne, with defence, trade, security and critical minerals cooperation featuring prominently in bilateral discussions.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi held bilateral talks with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in Melbourne after arriving in Australia late on July 9. The meeting marked a key diplomatic engagement during Modi's visit.

The discussions focused on strengthening strategic cooperation between India and Australia, with defence and security issues high on the agenda. Trade ties and supply-chain resilience also figured in the talks.

Critical minerals cooperation was another major area of focus, reflecting the growing importance of resource security in the India-Australia partnership. The meeting also underlined broader Indo-Pacific alignment between the two sides.

The visit was presented as part of India's wider regional outreach and its effort to deepen ties with key partners in the Indo-Pacific. The bilateral engagement in Melbourne drew attention for its economic and strategic significance.