India and Australia have reaffirmed their growing partnership as Prime Minister Narendra Modi concluded high-level talks with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in Melbourne on Thursday. Later, addressing a gathering of around 30,000 members of the Indian community, PM Modi spoke about the close cultural bond shared by overseas Indians with their homeland while highlighting India’s economic and technological progress.

The bilateral meeting expanded the India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, with both countries announcing 18 outcomes covering areas such as defence, energy, trade and critical technologies.

PM Modi highlights Indian identity abroad

Welcoming the large turnout, PM Modi described the event as a “houseful” gathering and said he had been looking forward to meeting the Indian community in Melbourne after interacting with them twice earlier in Sydney.

Using a light-hearted example, he said that while many Indian families in Australia use Australian milk at home, the tea they prepare remains distinctly Indian. He added that even when vegetables and lentils are sourced locally, the authentic Indian flavour comes from Indian spices, reflecting how the community has preserved its cultural roots while contributing to Australia’s growth.

The Prime Minister also said many Indian families manage two time zones every day, with children following Australian schedules while grandparents in India wait to connect through video calls, showing how closely overseas Indians remain connected to their homeland.

India-Australia partnership continues to expand

Earlier in the day, PM Modi and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese held wide-ranging discussions aimed at strengthening cooperation between the two countries.

In a post on X after the meeting, PM Modi said the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership launched in 2022 has continued to expand and both countries have decided to accelerate work on the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation framework.

The leaders announced 18 outcomes that further strengthen collaboration across defence, clean energy, trade, critical technologies and other strategic sectors.

PM Modi highlights India’s progress

During his address, PM Modi said India’s defence capabilities are gaining global recognition and referred to Operation Sindoor as an example of the country’s resolve against terrorism.

He also highlighted the success of the Make in India initiative, saying Indian-made mobile phones, electronics, automobiles and pharmaceutical products are reaching markets around the world.

Speaking about governance reforms, the Prime Minister said India has simplified public services through self-attestation and digital initiatives such as DigiLocker, allowing citizens to securely store, verify and share official documents online.

India’s global role and startup growth

PM Modi said India has earned international trust by extending humanitarian assistance without discrimination, adding that relief operations launched after the recent earthquake in Venezuela reflected India’s commitment to helping countries in times of crisis.

He also highlighted India’s emergence as the world’s third-largest startup ecosystem and said an Indian space startup is preparing to launch a satellite using its own rocket for the first time.

Concluding his address, PM Modi said the India-Australia trade agreement continues to deliver benefits for both countries and expressed confidence that cooperation between New Delhi and Canberra will continue to deepen in the years ahead.

Iran has formally approached the United Nations Security Council over fresh US military strikes on its territory, calling for immediate international action and warning that Washington would be fully responsible for the consequences of what it described as unlawful aggression.

According to media reports, Iran’s Ambassador to the United Nations, Amir Saeid Iravani, submitted letters to the UN Security Council and the UN Secretary-General on Wednesday. In the communication, he accused the United States of violating the UN Charter through renewed military attacks on Iran’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The letter came after a series of reported US airstrikes in southern Iran that allegedly caused damage to infrastructure and resulted in the deaths of several Iranian military personnel. Additional strikes were reportedly carried out shortly afterward in the same region.

Reported strikes targeted multiple locations

Media reports said the latest attacks struck the southern city of Chabahar, where a hospital and power infrastructure were reportedly hit. Other locations included Iranshahr, where one fatality was reported, and Bushehr.

Earlier reports also claimed that eight Iranian military personnel were killed in separate US strikes on Bandar Abbas and Bushehr.

Iran cites recent US-Iran understanding

According to the letter, Iran argued that the United States had repeatedly violated the Pakistan-mediated memorandum of understanding signed between the two countries last month.

The communication reportedly stated that Washington had effectively repudiated the agreement through repeated actions and therefore carried full international legal and political responsibility for the consequences of its conduct.

Iran also called on the UN Security Council to take “immediate, effective, and decisive measures” to stop what it described as continued violations by the United States.

According to media reports, the Iranian ambassador warned that the Security Council’s failure to act had encouraged further escalation and weakened the body’s authority to maintain international peace and security.

Tensions rise after ceasefire weakens

The latest diplomatic move comes as the ceasefire reached last month appears to be deteriorating. The truce followed more than 100 days of US-Israeli strikes on Iran.

This week, both Washington and Tehran have exchanged fresh attacks following allegations of Iranian strikes on commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, further raising concerns over regional stability.

France have suffered a significant setback ahead of their FIFA World Cup 2026 quarterfinal against Morocco after FIFA rejected the team’s appeal against Michael Olise’s yellow card received in the Round of 16.

Head coach Didier Deschamps confirmed that world football’s governing body decided to uphold the booking, leaving one of France’s standout performers at risk of suspension if he receives another yellow card in the quarterfinal.

Speaking to reporters before the clash at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Deschamps said the federation had been informed that the decision would stand.

“The yellow card has not changed. We were notified by FIFA this morning, it has been maintained,” the France coach said.

Olise now walking a disciplinary tightrope

Olise was booked during the closing stages of France’s last-16 victory over Paraguay following an altercation with Matias Galarza in a heated contest.

Television replays appeared to show minimal contact between the players. During the incident, the Bayern Munich winger placed his finger in front of his mouth before Galarza went to the ground, claiming he had been struck in the face.

With FIFA refusing to overturn the booking, Olise will miss a potential semifinal if he is cautioned again against Morocco.

France also have Bradley Barcola and Manu Kone carrying yellow cards after both players were booked in the same match against Paraguay. Another booking for either player in the quarterfinal would also result in suspension for a possible semifinal.

Tchouameni continues recovery

Deschamps also provided an update on midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni, who missed the victory over Paraguay because of a thigh injury.

The France coach said the midfielder has shown signs of improvement and could return to training, although a final decision on his availability will depend on his fitness assessment.

Deschamps added that the rest of the squad remains available ahead of the crucial knockout fixture against Morocco.