Building stronger cultural ties between Australia and India

The Australian Government is deepening cultural cooperation with India, building on our strong relationship and people-to-people links.

Prime Minister Albanese has welcomed progress to repatriate an Australian First Nations ancestor held in the Government Museum of Chennai.

The ancestor will be voluntarily and unconditionally repatriated by India to their Traditional Custodians.

Advancing education, science and technology ties with India

Australia and India are committed to unlocking the full potential of our relationship by investing in education, science and technology.  

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi of the Republic of India welcomed signature of the Memorandum of Understanding for the Australia-Canada-India Technology and Innovation (ACITI) Partnership, driving trilateral cooperation with Canada on critical and emerging technologies. 

Strengthening cooperation on defence and security with India

Australia and India will strengthen cooperation on defence and security to support our shared vision for a peaceful, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific.  

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi of the Republic of India met in Melbourne today and announced a series of outcomes to elevate our ambitious defence and security cooperation.

Australia-India Joint Declaration on Defence and Security Cooperation (2026)

  1. We, the Prime Ministers of India and Australia, drawn together by our ever closer bilateral ties, united in our determination to strengthen our nations’ strategic partnership and motivated by a common ambition for an open, peaceful, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific, hereby commit to this Joint Declaration on Defence and Security Cooperation. 
  2. We reaffirm the vitality of our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP), established in 2020.

Reappointment of Secretary of the Attorney General's Department

I am pleased to announce the Governor-General has accepted my recommendation to reappoint Ms Katherine Jones PSM as Secretary of the Attorney-General’s Department.

Ms Jones has had a distinguished career as a senior leader in the Australian Public Service. She was appointed Secretary of the Attorney-General's Department for five years on 16 August 2021.

During her time as Secretary, Ms Jones has led significant reforms to improve Australia’s law, justice, security and integrity systems.

Ms Jones is the Indigenous Champion for the Australian Public Service.

Australia-India Economic Roadmap Business Reception

Thank you to the Centre for Australia-India Relations and Ryan for organising this reception.

I begin by acknowledging the traditional owners of the land we’re meeting on and pay my respect to elders past, present and emerging.

Can I also acknowledge our guest of honour, my friend, the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi.

Ms Swati Dave, Chair of the Centre for Australia-India Relations and distinguished guests, one and all, including all of my ministerial colleagues that I see here as well.

Third Australia–India Annual Summit Joint Statement

  1. At the invitation of the Prime Minister of Australia the Honourable Anthony Albanese MP, the Honourable Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi visited Australia from 8-10 July 2026 for the Third Australia–India Annual Summit in Melbourne, Naarm, the traditional land of the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung and Bunurong / Boon Wurrung peoples of the Kulin Nation.
  2. Recalling the longstanding friendship between the two nations, rooted in historical ties, people-to-people linkages, shared strategic interests, and mutual respect for one another, the two Leaders reaffirmed their shared comm

Opening remarks - Brisbane

ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER OF AUSTRALIA: Welcome back to Australia. You are, of course, very familiar, and all of your delegation, I welcome all of you here for what is a very historic day. After this meeting, we will exchange the documents to formally bring into force the Pukpuk Treaty. This is extraordinary. Our first alliance for Australia since 1951. It says something about the relationship between our two great nations.