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.

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.

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.

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.