Modi embarks on three-nation tour to Indonesia, Australia and New Zealand to deepen Indo-Pacific partnerships
New Delhi. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on July 6 departed on a six-day visit to Indonesia, Australia and New Zealand, describing the tour as an opportunity to further strengthen India’s strategic partnerships in the Indo-Pacific while advancing the country’s Act East Policy, MAHASAGAR Vision, and commitment to a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific.
In a pre-departure statement, Modi said the July 6-11 visit would focus on expanding cooperation in areas ranging from defence and security to trade, technology, education and people-to-people exchanges.
Indonesia visit
The Prime Minister’s first stop will be Indonesia, where he will undertake a bilateral visit from July 6 to 8 at the invitation of President Prabowo Subianto.
Modi noted that India and Indonesia elevated their relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership during his visit to Jakarta in 2018, and said the upcoming visit would be his first bilateral trip since that milestone. The visit also follows President Prabowo’s state visit to India as the chief guest at the Republic Day celebrations in January 2025.
Highlighting the centuries-old civilisational links between the two countries, Modi said India and Indonesia share deep cultural and people-to-people ties that continue to shape the contemporary partnership.
During the visit, the two leaders are expected to review the full spectrum of bilateral relations and explore ways to further deepen cooperation across multiple sectors.
Modi will also interact with members of the Indian diaspora in Indonesia and, along with President Prabowo, visit the historic Prambanan Temple complex in Yogyakarta, which he described as a powerful symbol of the shared cultural heritage between the two nations.
Australia leg
From Indonesia, Modi will travel to Melbourne at the invitation of Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
The Prime Minister said the visit would provide an opportunity to consolidate the India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership through discussions covering defence and security, trade and investment, education, mobility, and stronger people-to-people ties.
He said both countries would also seek to deepen collaboration in emerging and critical technologies, sports and sports science – areas that have assumed increasing importance in the bilateral relationship.
Modi is also scheduled to meet members of the Indian diaspora in Melbourne, describing the community as an important pillar of the strategic partnership between the two countries.
New Zealand visit
The final leg of the tour will take Modi to Auckland, where he will hold talks with New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon.
The Prime Minister said the visit would build on the momentum generated by Luxon’s visit to India in March 2025, during which the two countries significantly expanded bilateral engagement.
Discussions are expected to focus on further strengthening economic, trade and commercial cooperation, particularly following the signing of the India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement, which both countries view as a major step towards expanding bilateral commerce.
Modi also emphasised the important contribution of the Indian diaspora to India-New Zealand relations and said he looked forward to addressing a large gathering of the Indian community during his visit.
Indo-Pacific focus
The Prime Minister said the three-nation tour reflects India’s growing engagement with key partners across the Indo-Pacific.
He expressed confidence that visits to Indonesia in the eastern Indian Ocean, Australia in the southern Indian Ocean and New Zealand would reinforce India’s Act East Policy, advance its MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions) Vision, and contribute to the shared objective of maintaining a free, open and rules-based Indo-Pacific region.
