Australia and India finalize uranium export agreement

Australia and India signed a civil nuclear agreement during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Melbourne, allowing Australian companies to export uranium ore to India for peaceful civilian power generation. The deal ends a years‑long stalemate and supports India’s plan to expand nuclear capacity to 100 GW by 2047, while providing a new market for Australian uranium producers.

The agreement has sparked renewed debate in Australia, where the Greens and some politicians criticize the export to a non‑NPT signatory, while the mining industry emphasizes economic benefits and job creation. The deal also forms part of a broader strategic package that includes defence and maritime cooperation, a joint statement on energy security, and collaboration on clean‑energy technologies.

Australian officials say existing mines can meet initial Indian demand, but further supply growth may require lifting state bans on new uranium mining. The partnership is positioned as a step toward a more secure, diversified energy supply chain for both nations and reinforces their growing Indo‑Pacific strategic ties.