Australia and India have expanded cooperation in education, science, technology and space, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi announcing new initiatives during Modi’s visit to Australia.
The leaders welcomed the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding for the Australia-Canada-India Technology and Innovation (ACITI) Partnership, which will strengthen trilateral collaboration on critical and emerging technologies.
A key announcement was the commissioning of a temporary space tracking terminal on Australia’s Cocos (Keeling) Islands to support India’s ambitious Gaganyaan Human Spaceflight Programme.
The facility will assist in tracking the first launch of four key missions under India’s human spaceflight initiative, highlighting growing cooperation between the two countries in space exploration.
“Today’s talks have unparalleled outcomes in areas such as renewable energy, climate action, nuclear energy, critical minerals, technology, education and more,” Prime Minister Modi said.
“Another highlight is the issuing of an important declaration to strengthen defence and security cooperation. Equally noteworthy is our discussions to work closely in shipbuilding, ship repair and maintenance.”
Education remained a major focus of the discussions, with the leaders highlighting the importance of expanding university and skills partnerships between the two countries.
India is Australia’s second-largest source of international students, with more than 140,000 Indian students enrolled at Australian institutions last year.
The leaders welcomed Flinders University receiving approval to establish a campus in India, joining seven other Australian universities approved to operate campuses in the country.
The expansion of Australian university campuses in India is expected to provide greater access to Australian education while strengthening research partnerships, innovation and economic links.
The two leaders also welcomed growing vocational education cooperation, including an agreement between Western Australian TAFE and Indian partners to establish a Centre of Excellence for Skilling in Mining and Mining Equipment, Technology and Services.
Prime Minister Albanese said education, science and technology were central pillars of the Australia–India relationship.
“Australia and India are working together on the technologies that are shaping our future as partners with a relationship anchored in trust,” Albanese said.
“We are excited to support India’s Gaganyaan space launch mission and demonstrate how Australia is a trusted partner in space exploration.”
Education Minister Jason Clare said the partnership was increasingly becoming a two-way exchange.
“It’s not just about Indian students studying in Australia. It’s increasingly about Australian universities taking the best of Australian education to India.”
The leaders also welcomed the Maitri grants programme, which will provide $10 million in funding for 41 projects in 2026 to support economic, cultural and research collaboration between Australia and India.
Science and Industry Minister Tim Ayres said cooperation with India was critical in strengthening resilience and industrial capability.
“Collaborating through science, research and technology is helping us unlock solutions to some of our shared challenges.”
The announcements build on the expanding Australia–India partnership, with both nations seeking closer cooperation across emerging technologies, critical minerals, clean energy, defence and innovation.
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