Australian PM Albanese says ‘honoured to welcome my friend’ PM Modi for Annual Leaders’ Summit

Canberra, July 4 (IANS) Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Saturday said he is honoured to welcome Narendra Modi to Australia for the Australia-India Annual Leaders’ Summit, scheduled to be held during the Indian Prime Minister’s visit from July 8 to July 10.

According to a statement issued by the Australian Prime Minister’s Office, Prime Minister Albanese will host Prime Minister Modi in Melbourne as part of the Annual Leaders’ Summit.

The visit is expected to further strengthen the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries and deepen cooperation across several key sectors.

The statement noted that India, now the world’s fourth-largest and one of the fastest-growing economies, is a vital economic partner for Australia. It added that the bilateral relationship is anchored in the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and supported by strong economic, cultural connections.

It further stated that cooperation between the two countries in areas such as trade, defence, security and technology has continued to expand, delivering tangible benefits to both nations.

The statement also recalled that Prime Minister Albanese last met Prime Minister Modi on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Johannesburg in November 2025.

Expressing his enthusiasm ahead of the visit, Prime Minister Albanese said, “I am honoured to welcome my friend Prime Minister Modi to Australia for our Annual Leaders’ Summit.”

“The Australia-India relationship has never been more consequential, and our partnership fosters peace, stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific. I look forward to strengthening Australia and India’s deep partnership,” the statement added.

Following the Australia visit, Prime Minister Modi will also travel to New Zealand at the invitation of Prime Minister Christopher Luxon for a State Visit from July 10 to July 11. The visit will mark the first State Visit by an Indian Prime Minister to New Zealand in nearly four decades.

In Auckland, the Prime Minister will hold bilateral discussions with Prime Minister Luxon and review the entire gamut of the bilateral relationship, which has seen significant progress in the last two years, especially in the areas of trade and commerce and defence.

While in Auckland, the Prime Minister will also interact with prominent business and sports personalities. In a reflection of the strong people-to-people ties that exist between India and New Zealand, the Prime Minister will address a large gathering of the Indian Diaspora during the visit.

–IANS

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