Australia and India have committed to expanding sports cooperation, a shared passion and rapidly growing economic opportunity for both nations. 

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi of the Republic of India, met in Melbourne today and announced that the opening Australian Men’s Big Bash League match will take place in Chennai in December this year.

This will be the first foreign cricket league to play in India.

I begin by acknowledging the traditional owners of the land on which we meet and I pay my respects to their elders past, present and emerging.

Prime Minister Modi, my friend, welcome to marvellous Melbourne.

As a true friend of Australia, and a very dear friend of mine, it is an honour to host you this evening.

I also welcome each and every one of you out there in the stands. 

Over the years, this stadium has seen some loud and legendary events – and none more significant than this.

ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER OF AUSTRALIA: Can I begin by welcoming Prime Minister Modi and his delegation here in Melbourne. Prime Minister Modi, you are a true friend of Australia and it has been a great honour to host you for our Annual Leaders Summit today. Australia and India are close partners and even closer friends. Six years into our comprehensive strategic partnership, Australia's relationship with India has never been more consequential than it is today. Our partnership has never been stronger.

The Australian Government is deepening cultural cooperation with India, building on our strong relationship and people-to-people links.

Prime Minister Albanese has welcomed progress to repatriate an Australian First Nations ancestor held in the Government Museum of Chennai.

The ancestor will be voluntarily and unconditionally repatriated by India to their Traditional Custodians.

Australia and India are committed to unlocking the full potential of our relationship by investing in education, science and technology.  

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi of the Republic of India welcomed signature of the Memorandum of Understanding for the Australia-Canada-India Technology and Innovation (ACITI) Partnership, driving trilateral cooperation with Canada on critical and emerging technologies. 

Australia and India are working together to strengthen cooperation on energy security and supply chain resilience.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi of the Republic of India welcomed the Joint Statement on Energy Security today in Melbourne.

Australia and India will strengthen cooperation on defence and security to support our shared vision for a peaceful, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific.  

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi of the Republic of India met in Melbourne today and announced a series of outcomes to elevate our ambitious defence and security cooperation.

1. We, the Prime Ministers of India and Australia, drawn together by our ever closer bilateral ties, united in our determination to strengthen our nations’ strategic partnership and motivated by a common ambition for an open, peaceful, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific, hereby commit to this Joint Declaration on Defence and Security Cooperation. 
2. We reaffirm the vitality of our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP), established in 2020.

I am pleased to announce the Governor-General has accepted my recommendation to reappoint Ms Katherine Jones PSM as Secretary of the Attorney-General’s Department.

Ms Jones has had a distinguished career as a senior leader in the Australian Public Service. She was appointed Secretary of the Attorney-General's Department for five years on 16 August 2021.

During her time as Secretary, Ms Jones has led significant reforms to improve Australia’s law, justice, security and integrity systems.

Ms Jones is the Indigenous Champion for the Australian Public Service.

Thank you to the Centre for Australia-India Relations and Ryan for organising this reception.

I begin by acknowledging the traditional owners of the land we’re meeting on and pay my respect to elders past, present and emerging.

Can I also acknowledge our guest of honour, my friend, the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi.

Ms Swati Dave, Chair of the Centre for Australia-India Relations and distinguished guests, one and all, including all of my ministerial colleagues that I see here as well.