India, Australia Finalise Uranium Export Framework to Boost Clean Energy Partnership

Melbourne, July 2026: India and Australia on Thursday took a major step towards strengthening their strategic energy partnership by finalising the administrative arrangements required to facilitate the export of Australian uranium to India for exclusively peaceful purposes. The landmark development was announced following the Annual Leaders’ Summit in Melbourne, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese reaffirmed their commitment to expanding bilateral cooperation in energy security and clean energy.

Addressing a joint press conference after the summit, Prime Minister Modi described the agreement as a significant milestone in the growing relationship between the two countries. He said the decision would not only strengthen India’s clean energy ambitions but also deepen cooperation in the civil nuclear sector.

“Today, we have reached an important agreement in the field of nuclear energy. This will open the path for uranium supply from Australia to India and give new strength to our clean energy objectives,” PM Modi said.

The agreement operationalises the Australia-India Nuclear Cooperation Agreement signed in 2015 by completing the administrative procedures necessary for uranium exports. Under the arrangement, Australian uranium will be supplied exclusively for peaceful civilian purposes and will remain subject to the safeguards and monitoring mechanisms of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

Alongside the uranium agreement, both countries released a Joint Statement on Energy Security, reaffirming their shared commitment to strengthening energy cooperation, ensuring resilient supply chains and accelerating the transition towards cleaner and more sustainable energy sources.

Recognising the importance of reliable energy supplies in an increasingly uncertain global environment, India and Australia expressed concern over the impact of tensions in West Asia on global energy markets, shipping routes and commodity prices. Both sides reiterated their support for open markets, rules-based trade and uninterrupted global energy flows.

The two leaders also acknowledged the complementary role each country plays in energy trade. Australia remains one of India’s key suppliers of liquefied natural gas (LNG), while India has emerged as an important exporter of refined petroleum products and liquid fuels to Australia. They agreed to further expand bilateral trade and investment in the energy sector while ensuring stable and secure supplies.

As part of their broader energy partnership, India and Australia pledged to strengthen regional cooperation on energy security, enhance supply chain resilience and encourage investments across the energy value chain. The two nations also agreed to promote renewable energy, low-carbon fuels and emerging clean technologies to support the global transition towards sustainable energy systems.

The joint statement reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining dependable supplies of key energy resources, including coal, natural gas, diesel and other liquid fuels. Australia also welcomed India’s leadership in promoting sustainable fuels through the Global Biofuels Alliance, recognising the initiative’s contribution to accelerating the global clean energy transition.

Highlighting the broader strategic partnership, Prime Minister Modi said India and Australia share deep democratic values, multicultural societies and a common vision for a stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific region.

“India and Australia are two vibrant democracies, two multicultural societies and two important ocean powers. These similarities, and our common worldview, inspire us to move forward with deep mutual trust,” he said.

The finalisation of the uranium export framework marks another milestone in the expanding India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, reflecting growing cooperation in energy, trade, technology, defence and regional security while supporting India’s long-term clean energy and economic development goals.