Australia, India Launch Renewable Energy Partnership

US President Joe Biden, alongside Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi (C) and Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (2nd R), speaks during the second day of the G20 Summit at the Museum of Modern Art in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil on Nov. 19, 2024. Saul Loeb/Pool/AFP via Getty Images

The India-Australia Renewable Energy Partnership was officially launched during the second Annual Summit between the nations on Nov. 19.

The Summit took place on the sidelines of the Group of 20 (G20) Summit in Rio de Janeiro.

Prime Ministers Anthony Albanese and Narendra Modi reaffirmed their commitment to deepening the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two nations.

“Our new partnership will boost two-way investment in renewable energy projects like solar PV manufacturing, battery and mineral processing, green hydrogen and green iron,” said Albanese.

He also added that the move aims to build the future renewable energy workforce, including through skills and training, and ultimately unlock economic opportunities to support the net zero transition.

In a joint statement, both leaders also announced that the partnership underscored their shared ambition to drive climate action and the transition to net-zero emissions.

Trade Ties on the Rise

The leaders also discussed advancing cooperation in sectors such as defence, trade, education, sports, space, and cultural exchange.

Modi said since the launch of the India-Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA) in 2022, bilateral trade between the two nations has increased 40 percent increase.

Prime Ministers Albanese and Modi highlighted synergies between the “Make in India” and “Future Made in Australia” projects aimed at spurring domestic manufacturing.

Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is pictured during the group photo after attending the meeting on Sustainable Development and Energy Transition at the G20 Leaders' Meeting in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Nov. 19, 2024. Mauro Pimentel/AFP via Getty Images

They also hoped to enhance the Australia-India Business Exchange (AIBX) programme to foster better business relations.

“We have opened a new consulate in Brisbane, and Australia has opened one in Bengaluru,” Modi highlighted.

Commitment to Defence and Security

Defence cooperation was another crucial area with security a key pillar of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

The leaders expressed their intent to strengthen the Joint Declaration on Defence and Security Cooperation in 2025 to reflect the evolving ambitions of both countries’ defence forces.

“In the area of defence through joint exercises, exchange between young officers and deployment of our platforms, our relations have seen a new impetus,” said Modi.

Both leaders underscored the importance of ongoing defence exercises and information sharing, with the focus on ensuring a more stable Indo-Pacific region.

Aggression from Chinese Communist Party-linked forces has been an ongoing concern for the region.

Albanese and Modi also agreed to develop a joint maritime security collaboration roadmap and continue aircraft deployments from each other’s territories.

Joint Efforts in the Pacific

The two leaders highlighted the importance of respecting sovereignty and territorial integrity in all seas and oceans, in accordance with international law, particularly the U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

They also acknowledged the Pacific Islands Forum’s pivotal role through its 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent.

They emphasised the significance of supporting regional initiatives like the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI) to preserve maritime ecology and address climate change.

Strengthening Multilateral Cooperation 

The two leaders also reaffirmed their commitment to ASEAN centrality and the ASEAN-led regional architecture, including key forums like the East Asia Summit and the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus.

In addition, they recognised the role of the Quad in fostering regional stability and advancing shared goals.

Modi expressed anticipation for India’s hosting of the Quad Leaders’ Summit in 2025, where both countries will continue to collaborate on ambitious projects in areas like climate action, cybersecurity, infrastructure, and critical technologies.

People-to-People Ties and Indian Diaspora 

A key highlight of the summit was the recognition of the growing people-to-people ties between India and Australia.

Both leaders acknowledged the contributions of the Indian community in Australia, particularly the students and professionals, in strengthening the bilateral relationship.

Modi welcomed Albanese’s assurance of continued support for the community, including students.

According to the High Commission of India in Canberra, India is now home to the second-largest and fastest-growing diaspora in Australia, with nearly 976,000 people of Indian origin.

The Indian student community in Australia, numbering over 120,000, represents a vital link between the two nations, and their contributions to the educational sector are immense.