Analysts said the agreement would help India shore up fuel security for its planned nuclear expansion, while also signalling deeper strategic trust between two Indo-Pacific partners seeking to reduce energy vulnerabilities and strengthen cooperation in civilian nuclear power.

While few details were immediately available – such as the volumes to be supplied – the pact is expected to play a role in expanding the country’s nuclear capacity to 100 gigawatts by 2047, up from about 8GW.

India does not have sufficient domestic uranium to meet its long-term nuclear energy ambitions, forcing heavy reliance on imports, according to the World Nuclear Association.

Australia had previously refused to sell uranium to India because Delhi was not a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty designed to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons.