Bipartisan support: PM Modi meets Australian opposition leader Angus Taylor to deepen strategic ties
Canberra: Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with Angus Taylor, the Leader of the Opposition of Australia, on Friday to discuss the expanding strength of bilateral relations between India and Australia.
"Met Mr Angus Taylor, Leader of the Opposition of Australia. We had an engaging conversation on the growing strength of India-Australia ties and the many opportunities ahead. I deeply value the warmth and broad support that our partnership enjoys across Australia," Modi stated in a post on the social media platform X.
On Thursday, Taylor had highlighted the deep ties connecting the two nations.
"Welcome to Australia, Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Our nations share a great friendship, a proud Australian-Indian community and a future full of opportunity," Taylor wrote on X.
Met Mr. Angus Taylor, Leader of the Opposition of Australia. We had an engaging conversation on the growing strength of India-Australia ties and the many opportunities ahead. I deeply value the warmth and broad support that our partnership enjoys across Australia.@AngusTaylorMP pic.twitter.com/UIROdovURD
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 10, 2026
The discussions followed the adoption of the India-Australia Joint Declaration on Defence and Security Cooperation (JDDSC) and the India-Australia Maritime Security Collaboration Roadmap (MSCR). These agreements were among the key results of Modi's bilateral meeting with his Australian counterpart, Anthony Albanese, where both sides also agreed to operationalise a civil nuclear pact to facilitate uranium exports to India.
The two defence initiatives were part of 18 significant outcomes announced after the Third India-Australia Annual Summit. The agreements span defence, maritime security, energy, cyber and critical technologies, education, mining, research, and cultural ties, representing a major broadening of the India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
During a special press briefing, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri explained that the defence agreements reflect an understanding that the bilateral relationship must adapt to shifting geopolitical dynamics.
"One of the key outcomes of the meeting today was the adoption of the Joint Declaration on Defence and Security Cooperation, as well as an India-Australia Maritime Security Collaboration Roadmap. These constitute recognition that the partnership must evolve to meet changing strategic circumstances, and they reflect a commitment to advancing our defence and security partnership," Misri said.
With inputs from ANI