Modi, who had previously visited Australia in 2023, arrived on Wednesday night to a ceremonial welcome in Melbourne, where he will also engage with some of the nation’s leading business figures.
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According to a report from the Australian Financial Review, a potential agreement regarding uranium exports to India might be finalized. While both countries established a nuclear cooperation agreement in 2014, uranium exports have been restricted due to concerns over ensuring the fuel is used exclusively for peaceful applications, such as energy production.
When asked about the likelihood of a uranium export deal, Albanese mentioned to reporters on Wednesday that he would have “more to say about that with Prime Minister Modi.”
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“We’ve had constructive discussions, and I look forward to announcing a range of decisions together,” he added.
India ranks as Australia’s fifth-largest trading partner, following China, Japan, the US, and South Korea, and approximately 1 million residents in Australia identify as having Indian heritage.
On Thursday evening, Modi is expected to meet thousands of expatriate Indians at a major event in one of Melbourne’s largest sports stadiums. Security measures have been increased around the stadium due to reports of potential protests, as noted by Australian media.
The Indian leader is known for hosting grand events during his international visits, previously addressing large crowds in the UK, the United States, and other nations with significant expatriate Indian communities.
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During his last visit three years ago, thousands of supporters gathered in one of Sydney’s major indoor arenas.
Modi’s visit to Australia comes after his trip to Indonesia, where he secured numerous agreements related to agriculture and defense, including the BrahMos cruise missile system. He is scheduled to head to New Zealand on Friday afternoon before returning to India.
