New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday departed on a six-day, three-nation tour covering Indonesia, Australia and New Zealand, stating that the visit will reinforce India’s Act East Policy, MAHASAGAR Vision, and commitment to a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific. The visit is aimed at expanding strategic partnerships, enhancing economic cooperation and deepening people-to-people ties with key Indo-Pacific nations.
The first leg of the tour takes the Prime Minister to Indonesia from July 6 to 8 at the invitation of President Prabowo Subianto. Modi noted that this is his first bilateral visit since India and Indonesia elevated their relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2018. During the visit, the two leaders are expected to discuss maritime cooperation, defence, trade, investment and regional security. Modi will also interact with the Indian diaspora and visit the Prambanan Temple in Yogyakarta, highlighting the centuries-old cultural links between the two countries.
From Indonesia, the Prime Minister will travel to Australia from July 8 to 10 to participate in the third India-Australia Annual Summit with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. The summit is expected to focus on strengthening cooperation in defence, critical minerals, cyber security, resilient supply chains, clean energy, emerging technologies and trade under the India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
The final leg of the visit will take Modi to New Zealand, where he will hold talks with Prime Minister Christopher Luxon. The visit is historic as it will be the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to New Zealand in nearly 40 years. Discussions are expected to cover trade, education, agriculture, innovation, regional security and the implementation of the India–New Zealand Free Trade Agreement.
In his departure statement, Modi said the tour reflects India’s growing engagement with the Indo-Pacific and will strengthen the country’s Act East Policy and MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions) Vision. He emphasised that these initiatives are central to India’s approach of promoting maritime security, regional stability, economic prosperity and stronger partnerships with ASEAN and Pacific countries.
Officials from the Ministry of External Affairs said the visit follows India’s recent diplomatic outreach in the western Indian Ocean and shifts focus to the eastern maritime region. The three-nation tour is expected to further India’s strategic presence in the Indo-Pacific while reinforcing cooperation on connectivity, defence, trade and a rules-based international order.
