Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, speaking Thursday in Melbourne at a joint business forum with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, urged faster completion of a proposed bilateral trade deal known as the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement. Modi addressed over 200 CEOs and business leaders, highlighting India’s economic growth and inviting long-term Australian investment in sectors like critical minerals, artificial intelligence, and defense. He specifically called on Indian states and Australian provinces to form what he described as “dynamic economic partnerships based on their core competencies,” aiming to deepen ties under the existing 2022 Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement. The visit, part of a three-nation tour, underscores efforts to expand a trading relationship currently valued at roughly $24 billion.