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.

1. Australia and India are Comprehensive Strategic Partners with a common vision for a free, open and prosperous Indo-Pacific region. 
2. Australia and India share deep concern over the situation in the Middle East and its consequences for our region, including the prolonged impact of disruptions on energy, resources and other important commodities’ supply chains and prices.

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

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.

1. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Prime Minister James Marape held the sixth Australia-Papua New Guinea Annual Leaders’ Dialogue on 8 July 2026 in Brisbane.
2. The Prime Ministers acknowledged the Turrbal and Jagera peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the lands on which they met and recognised other people or families with connection to the lands of the Brisbane region.

Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea, my brother, the Honourable James Marape whose leadership and support has helped make the PNG Chiefs possible.

Tongan Prime Minister, Lord Fakafanua who is such a passionate advocate for the young people of his nation and the difference rugby league makes to their lives.

Samoan Prime Minister Honourable Laʻaulialemalietoa who is a keen supporter of Samoa’s national rugby league teams and their contributions to Samoa. 

And Chairman Peter V’landys who was central to bringing this partnership together.

The Australian Government is helping grow rugby league across the Pacific, committing $250 million over 10 years to the Pacific Rugby League Partnership.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese today joined his counterparts from Papua New Guinea, Samoa and Tonga in Brisbane to launch the new partnership, which aims to strengthen the link between sport and opportunities in education, leadership and employment.

The leaders were joined by the Chairman of the Australian Rugby League Commission (ARLC), Peter V'landys and representatives from a number of Pacific rugby league federations.

ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER OF AUSTRALIA: Well, Prime Minister, you are most welcome in Brisbane at what is going to be a very historic day in the relationship between our two nations, but also our relationship across the Pacific family as well - quite a gathering. So many things bring us together.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea, the Honourable James Marape MP, have today announced the entry into force of the Pukpuk Treaty.

Australia and Papua New Guinea are now formally allies. This is Papua New Guinea’s first alliance with any country, and Australia’s first in more than 70 years.

The Pukpuk Treaty is underpinned by a mutual defence commitment, recognising that an armed attack on either country is a threat to both nations, and the security of the region.

ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER OF AUSTRALIA: Prime Minister Fakafanua, you are very welcome here in Australia. This is our first meeting, but, of course, Australia and Tonga have such a warm and long friendship. We're all part of the Pacific family and that is why I'm so pleased to welcome you here. Indeed there is, of course, the people-to-people connections are so strong, including in my local electorate in the inner western suburbs of Sydney, where there's a substantial diaspora as well.