PM Modi Accorded Ceremonial Welcome in Australia, Calls for Stronger Business Partnership

Melbourne, July 2026 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday received a ceremonial welcome in Melbourne, marking the official commencement of his Australia visit aimed at strengthening the India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese welcomed PM Modi at the Government House Victoria, where he was accorded a Guard of Honour in a ceremony underscoring the growing ties between the two nations.

The ceremonial event featured the playing of the Indian National Anthem as Australian defence personnel lined up to honour the visiting Prime Minister. The warm reception reflected the deepening diplomatic and strategic relationship between India and Australia, which has expanded significantly in recent years across trade, defence, technology and people-to-people exchanges.

Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Modi and Prime Minister Albanese jointly participated in the India-Australia CEO Forum, bringing together leading business leaders from both countries. The two leaders posed for photographs before addressing the gathering, where they highlighted the importance of stronger economic collaboration in an evolving global landscape.

During his address, PM Modi invited Australian businesses to become active partners in India’s growth story, pointing to opportunities in manufacturing, clean energy, artificial intelligence, the digital economy, critical minerals, infrastructure and innovation. He emphasised that India’s rapid economic transformation offers significant investment opportunities for global businesses, including Australian companies seeking long-term partnerships.

The India-Australia CEO Forum, first established in 2012 and relaunched in 2023 by the two Prime Ministers, serves as a key platform for strengthening commercial engagement between the two countries. The annual forum provides recommendations to both governments on enhancing trade, investment and economic cooperation while encouraging collaboration across emerging sectors.

Prime Minister Modi also addressed the Economic Roadmap Business Reception held alongside the CEO Forum. Welcoming business leaders from India and Australia, he said their presence reflected the shared confidence and growing aspirations of both nations. He described India and Australia as “natural and trusted partners” at a time when the global economy faces uncertainty and geopolitical challenges.

The Prime Minister stressed that both countries possess complementary strengths that can drive mutual prosperity. He encouraged businesses to expand cooperation in clean energy, education, advanced manufacturing, technology, digital innovation and infrastructure, while also highlighting India’s commitment to reforms and ease of doing business.

PM Modi arrived in Melbourne on Wednesday after concluding the Indonesia leg of his three-nation tour. He received an enthusiastic welcome from the Indian diaspora despite the chilly weather, with hundreds of community members gathering to greet him. Describing the reception as “truly unforgettable,” the Prime Minister praised the Indian community for strengthening the enduring friendship between the two countries.

During his stay, PM Modi is also scheduled to co-chair the third India-Australia Annual Summit with Prime Minister Albanese, hold bilateral discussions on key strategic issues, and meet Australia’s Governor-General Sam Mostyn. His engagements are expected to further expand cooperation in trade, defence, critical technologies, education and regional security, reinforcing the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between India and Australia.