Australia and India finalise uranium export deal
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced on Thursday that Australia and India have formally cleared the path for uranium exports to India, finalising an operational arrangement under the long-standing civil nuclear framework. Addressing a joint press conference with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Albanese described the move as a major milestone in bilateral energy and strategic cooperation.
Agreement dates back to 2015
The arrangement enables uranium exports under the 2015 Australia-India Nuclear Cooperation Agreement, which had previously laid the groundwork for such transfers. According to a joint statement, both nations finalised the administrative arrangements necessary to allow Australian uranium to be exported to India exclusively for peaceful purposes, under International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) safeguards.
Strengthening energy security
Australia and India committed to working together to strengthen energy supply chain resilience. This includes deepening regional cooperation, accelerating the energy transition, promoting renewable energy uptake, and upholding open trade arrangements for energy and liquid fuels. Both countries recognise that increasing electrification of their energy systems will be a valuable source of future energy security.
Shared strategic vision
The two nations are Comprehensive Strategic Partners with a common vision for a free, open and prosperous Indo-Pacific region. They expressed deep concern over the situation in the Middle East and its prolonged impact on energy, resources and other commodity supply chains and prices. Amid this disruption, they reaffirmed their shared commitment to open markets and rules-based trade.
Private sector and trade cooperation
Australia and India recognised the central role of trusted private sector partnerships and strategic investments in sustainable and reliable energy flows. They committed to advancing bilateral energy trade and investment through the Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA), ongoing work toward a Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA), and other frameworks. Capacity-building and knowledge exchange in the energy sector were also highlighted.
Energy trade commitments
Australia acknowledged its role as an important supplier of liquefied natural gas to India, while India is a key supplier of liquid fuels and downstream products to Australia. Both countries committed to supporting continued energy product flows and enhancing trade. They also reiterated the importance of encouraging investment across the energy value chain.
Support for Pacific Island Countries
The joint statement noted that both countries acknowledge the specific energy resource security vulnerabilities faced by Pacific Island Countries and the importance of energy supply to their resilience and economic prosperity. Australia and India reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining stable, secure and reliable supplies of coal, diesel, other liquid fuels and natural gas.
Accelerating energy transition
Both countries reaffirmed their commitment to accelerating the energy transition and strengthening cooperation on low-carbon fuels. Australia noted India's initiative of the Global Biofuels Alliance (GBA). They called on regional partners to join in ensuring global energy resource supply chains remain open for the benefit of security and prosperity.
