India clinches agreement for Australian uranium supply; Modi says pact to give clean energy objectives 'fresh momemtum'

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a significant uranium supply agreement with Australia, a deal he believes will provide fresh momentum to India's clean energy objectives. The pact secures a crucial fuel source for India's expanding nuclear energy program, which is vital for meeting the electricity demands of its vast population.

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We have signed an important agreement today on nuclear energy. This will pave the way for uranium supplies from Australia to India and give our clean energy objectives fresh momentum.

The agreement permits long-term uranium exports from Australia, which possesses about 28% of the world's uranium resources, for exclusively peaceful nuclear applications, adhering to International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) safeguards. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese highlighted that the arrangement will help increase the share of non-fossil fuel power capacity in India's energy mix.

While India and Australia had a nuclear cooperation agreement in place since 2015, legal and political sensitivities had previously hindered actual trade. This new arrangement is expected to overcome those obstacles. The visit also saw a display of camaraderie between the leaders, with Albanese referring to Modi as "The Boss" and praising his leadership in strengthening bilateral ties.

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The arrangement facilitates Australian uranium exports to India, to help increase the share of non-fossil fuel power capacity.

Modi's visit is also drawing attention to the growing Indian diaspora in Australia, which has become the largest overseas-born community. However, the visit is not without controversy, with some groups planning protests against Modi's policies and alleged fostering of Hindu nationalism in India.

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In 2014, the Indian diaspora community in Australia was relatively small. But in 2026, it is now the largest diaspora community within Australia. It has outstripped the British, which is a huge demographic change.