PM Modi Meets Victoria Governor Margaret Gardner; Education Ties In Focus

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday met Victoria Governor Margaret Gardner in Melbourne and discussed expanding educational cooperation between India and the Australian state.

The discussions focused on strengthening academic collaborations, research partnerships and student mobility to deepen bilateral engagement.

In an X statement, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said Governor Margaret Gardner welcomed PM Modi at Government House in Victoria.

Both leaders reviewed the growing educational links between India and Victoria and noted that strong people-to-people ties remain a key pillar of the India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

According to the Indian Consulate General in Melbourne, Victoria’s education sector plays a significant role in the state’s economy, while Melbourne remains Australia’s leading student city.

Around 59,000 Indian students are currently studying at universities across Victoria, representing the largest Indian student community in Australia.

The Consulate said most Indian students pursue higher education in management, commerce, information technology, engineering and health sciences.

Students enrolled in Vocational Education and Training (VET) programmes primarily choose food, hospitality, personal services, engineering and related technologies. It also highlighted fresh opportunities for collaboration between India’s skills development initiatives and Victoria’s Technical and Further Education (TAFE) and VET sectors.

Later, PM Modi held the third India-Australia Annual Summit with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.

Both leaders reviewed cooperation across trade, defence, energy, technology, education and people-to-people ties. They also reaffirmed their commitment to a free, open, inclusive and prosperous Indo-Pacific.

Both leaders adopted the India-Australia Joint Declaration on Defence and Security Cooperation after the summit. They also finalised MoUs covering defence, maritime security, nuclear energy, critical technologies, education and skilling.

Earlier, PM Modi received a ceremonial welcome and a Guard of Honour in Melbourne.

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