Melbourne: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday invited Australia to play a larger role in India’s clean energy transition, saying the country’s technology, investment and natural resources could support India’s renewable energy and nuclear power expansion targets.
Speaking at the India-Australia CEO Forum and Economic Roadmap Business Reception in Melbourne, attended by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Modi highlighted opportunities for cooperation in renewable energy, civil nuclear power and infrastructure, ANI reported.
He said India is building a manufacturing ecosystem for hydroelectric projects, green hydrogen, solar modules and wind turbines as part of its clean energy transition.
“India has set a target of achieving 500 gigawatts of renewable energy capacity by 2030 and reaching net-zero emissions by 2070. Australia’s technology, capital and resources can accelerate this transition,” Modi said.
The Prime Minister also highlighted the potential for collaboration in civil nuclear energy, noting that India aims to achieve 100 gigawatts of nuclear power capacity by 2047.
“We have set a target of 100 gigawatts of nuclear energy capacity by 2047. Australia’s vast uranium reserves align directly with India’s nuclear journey,” he said.
Modi also invited Australian investors to participate in India’s infrastructure development, pointing to opportunities in ports, airports, roads, railways and urban infrastructure.
Ahead of the meeting between the two leaders, Indian High Commissioner to Australia Nagesh Singh said the Prime Minister’s visit was expected to strengthen business ties and expand cooperation in areas such as critical minerals and supply chains.
Singh said Australia, with its abundant reserves of critical minerals and rare earth elements, could play an important role in supporting India’s energy transition. He added that discussions on the subject are already taking place at both government-to-government and business-to-business levels and are expected to receive further direction during the leaders’ meeting.
According to Singh, future cooperation is expected to move beyond a traditional buyer-seller relationship towards greater value addition and processing of critical minerals.
Prime Minister Modi met Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in Melbourne during the second leg of his three-nation visit, which includes Indonesia, Australia and New Zealand.
