Modi, Albanians urge all parties to ‘restrain’ and de-escalate Gulf tensions

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese arrive at the Indian Community Event at Marvel Stadium in Melbourne on Thursday (July 9, 2026). | Photo credit: ANI

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese on Thursday (July 9, 2026) jointly called for a de-escalation of tensions and hostilities in West Asia, where fighting between the United States and Iran has resumed.

Addressing the third India-Australia summit, Mr Modi also said the Indo-Pacific region represented the “shared aspirations” of the two countries.

“The Prime Ministers expressed concern over the renewed escalation of tensions in the Middle East and called on all parties to maintain restraint, reduce tensions and ensure the protection of civilians, as well as the uninterrupted flow of energy supplies and trade. They re-emphasized the importance of dialogue and diplomacy and adherence to international law to achieve a peaceful and lasting solution to the conflict in the Strait,” Horz said in Stram.

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Maritime security cooperation

The two leaders emphasized the “centrality” of maritime cooperation as part of a “shared vision” of a “peaceful, stable and prosperous” Indo-Pacific region.

“The Indo-Pacific region will be re-energized by our maritime security cooperation plan. We will work together in shipbuilding, ship repair and maintenance,” the prime minister said in Hindi at an official media briefing in Melbourne.

The two leaders also emphasized the importance of the quadrilateral grouping, comprising the US, India, Japan and Australia, as a unit that will deliver “practical and concrete” results in the Indo-Pacific region.

Support for nuclear energy

India and Australia will also work together on clean energy, Mr. Modi said. Australia “reiterated its strong support” for India’s membership of the Nuclear Suppliers Group, the joint statement said.

The two prime ministers welcomed the “finalization and signing of an administrative arrangement” that will allow “long-term exports of Australian uranium to India for exclusively peaceful purposes and under IAEA safeguards”, the joint statement added.

Cultural connection

Mr. Albanese welcomed the repatriation of artifacts of cultural importance to India. “Australia and India share a deep history and we are building strong people-to-people ties between our two countries,” he said.

Speaking at an Indian diaspora event with Mr Modi, the Australian prime minister said: “Our Indian community has contributed so much to the story of modern Australia. And made our country a better place… Together we can be a force for peace and prosperity in our region.”

The two prime ministers expressed concern over the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and said they also “remain concerned” about the conflict in Myanmar and its “impact on the region”.

Published – 9 Jul 2026 22:43 IST