G20: A New Direction for India-Australia Relations

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese held an important bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the G20 Summit 2025 in Johannesburg, South Africa. The two leaders reviewed the significant progress made in bilateral relations over the past five years.

About G20 Summit 2025

• This is the first time the G20 Summit has been held on the African continent.
• The theme of this summit, chaired by South Africa, was 'Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability'.
• G20 member countries account for approximately 85% of global GDP and 75% of world trade.
• Prime Minister Modi is highlighting issues related to India and the Global South at this meeting, held between November 21–23.

India-Australia Bilateral Meeting

• During their meeting in Johannesburg, the two leaders expressed satisfaction with the growing strategic partnership between India and Australia.
• ​​Cooperation has deepened in several areas since the relationship was elevated to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) in 2020.
• PM Albanese expressed condolences on the recent terrorist incidents in India and emphasized the need to enhance cooperation in the global fight against terrorism.
• Both leaders expressed a desire to further strengthen ties in defense, energy, trade, education, technology, and people-to-people ties.

Key Outcomes

1. Boosting Defense and Security Cooperation
   • Both countries emphasized enhancing defense cooperation for security and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.
   • Maritime Security
   • Joint Military Exercises
   • High-Tech Defense Partnership
2. New Dialogue in the Energy and Nuclear Sector
   • Prime Minister Modi stated that nuclear energy and the clean energy transition could become key areas of India-Australia partnership.
3. Expanding Trade and Investment
   • Cooperation on Critical Minerals
   • Technological Investment
   • Agreement to Reduce Trade Barriers
4. Education, Mobility, and Cultural Relations
   • Discussion on Facilitating the Movement of Students and Professionals
   • Agreement on Expanding Cooperation in the Cultural and Tourism Sectors
5. Joint Commitment to Combat Terrorism
   • The Australian Prime Minister expressed deep condolences on the recent terrorist attacks in India, and both leaders reiterated the need to strengthen global counter-terrorism efforts.
6.  High-Level Meetings Add Momentum
   • Both leaders acknowledged that regular high-level dialogues over the past year have provided unprecedented momentum to bilateral relations.