Prime Minister Narendra Modi will embark on a six-day visit to Indonesia, Australia and New Zealand from Monday, with the tour expected to deepen India's strategic, economic and maritime engagement across the
under its Act East policy.
The July 6-11 visit comes close on the heels of Modi's engagements with Mauritius and Seychelles and follows Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's visit to New Delhi, reflecting New Delhi's renewed diplomatic focus on the eastern maritime region of the Indian Ocean and the wider Indo-Pacific. Briefing reporters, Secretary (East) in the Ministry of External Affairs, Rudrendra Tandon, said the visit would reinforce India's expanding partnerships in a region central to its economic and security interests.
Indonesia leg: Maritime security, defence and cultural ties
Modi will begin his visit in Indonesia from July 6 to 8, marking his fourth visit to the country and his first bilateral visit since India and Indonesia elevated their relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2018. He will hold delegation-level talks with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto in Jakarta to review cooperation in defence, maritime security, trade, connectivity and digital collaboration. Strategic issues, including cooperation in the Malacca Strait, are expected to figure prominently during the discussions.
Reports indicate that defence cooperation, including progress on the proposed BrahMos missile deal and wider defence-industrial collaboration, will also be high on the agenda.
Apart from official engagements in Jakarta, Modi will visit the historic city of Yogyakarta and the UNESCO-listed Prambanan Temple complex, where India and Indonesia will collaborate on conservation work. He is also scheduled to address members of the Indian diaspora.
Australia and New Zealand: Talks on Trade, critical minerals and diaspora expected
From July 8 to 10, the Prime Minister will be in Melbourne for the third India-Australia Annual Summit with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. The leaders are expected to review progress in the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership while focusing on critical minerals, supply chain resilience, cybersecurity, emerging technologies, clean energy and defence cooperation. Modi will also participate in the India-Australia CEOs Forum and interact with business leaders and the Indian community.
The final leg will take Modi to New Zealand on July 10 and 11, where he will hold talks with Prime Minister Christopher Luxon. The visit, the first by an Indian Prime Minister in nearly four decades, is expected to build on growing cooperation in trade, commerce and defence, including momentum generated by the recently concluded India-New Zealand free trade agreement. Modi will also meet business and sports personalities and address the Indian diaspora.
The three-nation visit is expected to reinforce India's strategic footprint in the Indo-Pacific while advancing cooperation in maritime security, trade, technology, defence and people-to-people ties across three key regional partners.
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