PM Modi meets Australia’s Albanese, reviews defence, minerals and trade ties – Firstpost

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday met Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in Johannesburg, where the two leaders reviewed progress in cooperation across a range of sectors, including defense and security, critical minerals, trade and investment and people-to-people ties.

Modi met Albanese soon after his arrival in South Africa to attend the G20 leaders’ summit.

“Had a very good meeting with PM Albanese of Australia. This year, we have completed 5 years of strategic partnership between our countries and these years have witnessed transformative results, deepening our cooperation,” Modi said in a post on social media.

He said, “During our talks today, emphasis was laid on three key areas, defense and security, nuclear energy and trade, where there is immense potential for further growth of relations. Other areas discussed included education, cultural exchange and more.”

Spoke to Mr Koos Becker, Chairman of Naspers, and Mr Fabricio Bloisie, Group CEO, in Johannesburg. Deepening investment ties figured prominently in the discussion. It is commendable how Naspers is actively working with our talented youth in various fields. pic.twitter.com/4J6G7ZoMlC

-Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) 21 November 2025

Albanese expressed condolences over the recent terrorist attack in Delhi and the bus accident in Saudi Arabia in which several Indians were killed.

“We have a lot to discuss and our relationship is very strong,” he said.

“I think the economic relationship we can further strengthen, and our defense and security relationship, is also very important moving forward. And I look forward to our discussions today,” he said.

In a statement, the Ministry of External Affairs said the two leaders expressed satisfaction at the depth and diversity of cooperation between India and Australia over the past five years following the progress made regarding the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2020.

“Prime Minister Albanese offered his solidarity over the recent terrorist attack in India,” it said. The leaders committed to strengthening the global fight against terrorism.

It said the two leaders discussed strengthening bilateral cooperation in a wide range of areas including political and strategic, defense and security, energy, trade and investment, critical minerals, technology, mobility, education and people-to-people ties.

The Prime Ministers also exchanged views on regional and global issues of mutual interest.

The two leaders acknowledged that the frequency of high-level contacts has provided strong momentum to bilateral relations. The statement said both leaders reiterated their commitment to take the India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership to greater heights.

Later, in a social media post, Albanese said Australia and India are “great friends and partners”.

“From trade, defense and security to education and clean energy, our relationship is fundamentally important. It is wonderful to meet my friend Prime Minister Modi ahead of the G20 summit,” he said.

A day earlier, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong held talks with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar in Delhi and they reviewed the entire gamut of bilateral cooperation and progress under various pillars of the India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

The two Ministers co-chaired the 16th India-Australia Foreign Ministers Framework Dialogue (FMFD) in Delhi.

The two Ministers also exchanged views on developments in the Indo-Pacific and reaffirmed their shared commitment to a free, open, secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific.

with inputs from agencies