PM Modi departs for Australia after 3-day Indonesia visit; Melbourne summit next

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has departed for Australia after concluding his three-day Indonesia visit. In Melbourne, he will hold summit talks with Anthony Albanese, address the Indian diaspora and attend business events.

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi departed for Australia on Wednesday after concluding a three-day visit to Indonesia, where he held bilateral talks, attended official engagements and inaugurated the restoration of the historic Prambanan Temple. Australia is the second leg of his three-nation diplomatic tour.

Modi is scheduled to arrive in Melbourne later on Wednesday for his third visit to Australia and his first trip to the city since 2014.

Summit Talks With Albanese

The highlight of the visit will be the third Annual Leaders' Summit between Prime Minister Modi and his Australian counterpart, Anthony Albanese.

The two leaders are expected to review progress under the India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and discuss ways to strengthen cooperation in defence, maritime security, trade, investment, clean energy, critical technologies and education.

Officials have indicated that several bilateral outcomes are expected following the summit.

Trade, Defence and Indo-Pacific on Agenda

India's High Commissioner to Australia, Nagesh Singh, said the visit would provide an opportunity to deepen cooperation between the two Quad partners and advance their shared vision for the Indo-Pacific.

He noted that bilateral trade has grown significantly since the signing of the Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA) in 2022 and said negotiations on a Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) are continuing.

The discussions are also expected to focus on critical minerals, resilient supply chains and expanding commercial partnerships.

Diaspora and Business Engagements

During the visit, Prime Minister Modi will address the India-Australia CEOs Forum and interact with members of the Indian diaspora, which now numbers nearly one million people in Australia.

He is also expected to visit the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), highlighting the strong sporting ties between the two countries.

Indonesia Visit Concludes

Before leaving Indonesia, Prime Minister Modi and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto jointly inaugurated the restoration of the nearly 1,000-year-old Prambanan Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, underscoring the growing cultural partnership between the two nations.

In a departure from established protocol, Australian Governor-General Sam Mostyn is also expected to travel to Melbourne to receive the Prime Minister, reflecting the significance both countries attach to their bilateral relationship.