3rd India–Australia Annual Summit in Melbourne: new defence declaration and 18 outcomes
PM Narendra Modi and PM Anthony Albanese held the 3rd India–Australia Annual Summit in Melbourne on 9 July 2026, announcing a Joint Declaration on Defence and Security Cooperation among 18 outcomes.
Summary
The 3rd India–Australia Annual Summit was held in Melbourne on 9 July 2026 between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, during PM Modi's visit to Australia from 8 to 10 July. The leaders announced a Joint Declaration on Defence and Security Cooperation, which renews the 2009 Joint Declaration on Security, set up an Annual Defence Ministers' Dialogue and adopted a Maritime Security Collaboration Roadmap. The 18 outcomes also included a joint statement on energy security, finalisation of the Administrative Arrangement under the Civil Nuclear Agreement, the Partnership for Cyber, Critical Technologies and Supply Chains (PACTS), an Indian Coast Guard–Maritime Border Command MoU, Flinders University's campus in Bengaluru, Victoria University's campus in Gurugram, and the return of three antiquities from Tamil Nadu. A Roadmap for Sports Collaboration released on 10 July looks ahead to the 2030 Commonwealth Games in Ahmedabad and the Brisbane 2032 Olympics.
Key facts
- Summit
- 3rd India–Australia Annual Summit, Melbourne, 9 July 2026
- Leaders
- Narendra Modi and Anthony Albanese
- Partnership
- Comprehensive Strategic Partnership
- Outcomes
- 18
- Defence
- Joint Declaration on Defence and Security Cooperation (renews 2009 Joint Declaration on Security); Annual Defence Ministers' Dialogue
- Maritime
- Maritime Security Collaboration Roadmap; ICG–Maritime Border Command MoU
- Education
- Flinders University campus in Bengaluru; Victoria University campus in Gurugram
- Repatriation
- 3 antiquities from Tamil Nadu: Nandi, Bhadrakali trident, six-headed Skanda
- Sports roadmap
- Eyes 2030 CWG Ahmedabad and Brisbane 2032; first Big Bash League match in India, Chennai, Dec 2026
Practice MCQs 4 questions
Which city hosted the 3rd India–Australia Annual Summit on 9 July 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Melbourne
The Third India–Australia Annual Summit was held in Melbourne.
The India–Australia Joint Declaration on Defence and Security Cooperation (July 2026) renews which earlier document?
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Correct answer: D — Joint Declaration on Security (2009)
The list of outcomes says the JDDSC renews the existing Joint Declaration on Security of 2009.
Which Australian university received a Letter of Intent at the July 2026 summit to set up a campus in Bengaluru?
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Correct answer: A — Flinders University
A Letter of Intent was handed to Flinders University for a campus in Bengaluru; Victoria University got a Letter of Approval for Gurugram.
Consider the following statements about the 3rd India–Australia Annual Summit (July 2026): 1. The two countries established an Annual Defence Ministers' Dialogue. 2. Australia returned three antiquities that originated in Tamil Nadu. 3. Victoria University will set up its Indian campus in Bengaluru. Which of the statements given above are correct?
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Correct answer: C — 1 and 2 only
Statements 1 and 2 are correct. Statement 3 is wrong: Victoria University's campus is approved for Gurugram; Flinders University is the one coming to Bengaluru.