India and Australia officially launched their Renewable Energy Partnership (REP) on Tuesday during a meeting between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Australian counterpart, Anthony Albanese. The announcement was made on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro, where the two leaders held the second India-Australia Annual Summit.

The REP aims to bolster two-way investment in renewable energy sectors, including solar power, green hydrogen, energy storage, and skills development for the future renewables workforce. "India and Australia have a shared ambition to move faster, work together, and deploy our complementary capabilities to drive climate action," the leaders stated in a joint release.

Prime Minister Albanese described the partnership as a significant step forward, emphasising its role in advancing the renewable energy transition. "Our renewable energy partnership is officially launched," Albanese said. "This will boost two-way investment in renewable energy sectors in areas like solar, green hydrogen, and the renewables workforce." He reiterated the shared commitment to achieving net-zero emissions targets.

The leaders also reviewed the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) between the two nations, reaffirming their dedication to collaboration in defence, security, trade, education, sports, space, and people-to-people ties. They discussed plans to strengthen their Joint Declaration on Defence and Security Cooperation by 2025, aiming for an ambitious vision of defence collaboration to enhance regional peace and security.

In their joint statement, the prime ministers expressed intent to develop a maritime security collaboration roadmap, increase reciprocal defence information-sharing, and continue aircraft deployments from each other’s territories to build operational familiarity. Modi remarked, "We have been working together to promote peace, stability, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific, and we will continue to do so."

On regional issues, both leaders reiterated their commitment to an open, inclusive, and peaceful Indo-Pacific, underlining the need to uphold the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and freedom of navigation in accordance with international law.

The two leaders also welcomed new consulates—Australia's in Bengaluru and India's in Brisbane—highlighting their role in strengthening trade, investment, and cultural ties. Modi thanked Albanese for his commitment to the Indian community in Australia, particularly Indian students.

With 9,76,000 Indian-origin people in Australia, the Indian diaspora is the second largest and fastest-growing in the country, according to the 2021 census. Indian students, numbering 1,22,391 as of September 2023, form the second-largest group of foreign-born students in Australia.

Modi later shared his reflections on X (formerly Twitter), stating, "It’s always wonderful to meet my good friend, Prime Minister Albanese. The talks were extremely fruitful, and our focus will remain on futuristic sectors that will further global growth and sustainability."