Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi have begun the first official engagements of the Australia-India Annual Leaders’ Summit in Melbourne, with business, investment and economic cooperation taking centre stage.
Albanese arrived at the Sofitel Melbourne on Thursday morning for the Australia-India Economic Roadmap Business Reception, where he was welcomed by AustralianSuper chief executive Paul Schroder and Business Council of Australia chief executive Bran Black.
The business event brought together government and industry leaders ahead of formal talks between the two Prime Ministers, with trade, investment and critical minerals expected to feature prominently on the agenda.
Ahead of the reception, AustralianSuper announced it would invest a further $500 million in India’s National Investment and Infrastructure Fund, increasing its total investment exposure in India to $3.3 billion.
The announcement comes as Australia and India continue to strengthen economic ties under their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, with investment expected to be a key focus of Thursday’s discussions.
AustralianSuper announced it would invest a further $500 million in India’s National Investment and Infrastructure Fund, increasing its total investment exposure in India to $3.3 billion
Security remained tight across Melbourne’s CBD as official events got underway, with a substantial police presence around the Sofitel and other venues hosting the leaders.
The heightened security follows an incident late on Wednesday in which anti-migration campaigner Hugo Lennon, who has been associated with Aus Pill, entered the hotel lobby before being removed by police after protesting during Modi’s arrival. Lennon later posted on social media that he had given the Indian Prime Minister “an Aussie (un)welcome”.
The Indian Prime Minister’s programme on Thursday includes formal talks with Albanese, a ceremonial welcome at Government House Victoria, a meeting with Governor-General Sam Mostyn and the sold-out Melbourne Meets Modi community event at Marvel Stadium.
The summit is expected to focus on expanding bilateral cooperation across trade, defence, technology, education, critical minerals and Indo-Pacific security as Australia and India continue to deepen one of the region’s fastest-growing strategic partnerships.
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