Prime Minister Narendra Modi is leaving from today on a 6-day tour of Indonesia, Australia and New Zealand. The purpose of this tour, which will run from 6 to 11 July, is not only to advance bilateral relations but also to further strengthen India’s strategic presence in the Indo-Pacific region. Defence, maritime security, trade, investment, new technology, education and engagement with NRIs are among the major agenda of this visit. This tour will start from Indonesia.
On the invitation of President Prabowo Subianto, Prime Minister Modi will be in Jakarta and Yogyakarta from July 6 to 8. In the year 2018, India and Indonesia had given the status of Comprehensive Strategic Partnership to their relations. After this, this is the first bilateral visit of Prime Minister Modi. In January 2025, President Prabowo was also the chief guest at the Republic Day celebrations of India. In such a situation, this visit is being considered to give a new direction to the growing strategic trust between the two countries.
Preparing to strengthen which issues in Indonesia?
In Indonesia, Prime Minister Modi and President Prabowo will discuss defense cooperation, maritime security, trade, investment and regional issues. The two leaders will also visit the world famous Prambanan Temple in Yogyakarta, which is considered a symbol of the shared cultural and civilizational ties between India and Indonesia. The Prime Minister will also address the Indian community there.
After Indonesia, the Prime Minister will go to Melbourne, Australia, where he will meet Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. Both leaders will discuss further strengthening the comprehensive strategic partnership. There will be special emphasis in the talks on areas like defense and security cooperation, trade and investment, education, skills and mobility, critical and emerging technology, sports and sports science. The Prime Minister will also address a big program of the Indian community in Melbourne. India and Australia have emerged as important partners in defence, maritime cooperation and Indo-Pacific strategy in the last few years.
Will finally go to Auckland
In the last leg of the tour, Prime Minister Modi will reach Auckland, where he will hold bilateral talks with New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon. The focus of this meeting will be on taking forward the momentum gained in relations between the two countries after Lakson’s visit to India in March 2025. Along with trade, investment and economic cooperation, there is also a possibility of discussion on the implementation of the recently signed Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the two countries. The Prime Minister will also address a big program of the Indian community in Auckland.
In his statement issued before his departure, Prime Minister Modi said that India and Indonesia have centuries-old cultural and people-to-people ties, while the partnership with Australia and New Zealand is continuously reaching new heights. He expressed confidence that this visit will further strengthen cooperation with the three countries.
What will be India’s message?
The Prime Minister said that this visit to Indonesia, Australia and New Zealand will further strengthen India’s Act East Policy, Ocean (MAHASAGAR) vision and India’s commitment towards a free, inclusive and rules-based Indo-Pacific.
This visit is being considered important from diplomatic point of view. On one hand, India will give new impetus to relations with Indonesia, one of the most important partners of ASEAN, while on the other hand it will try to further strengthen defense and technology cooperation with Australia. On the other hand, there will be emphasis on giving a new direction to the economic partnership with New Zealand. Through consecutive visits to three democratic Indo-Pacific countries, India will also send the message that its role in strengthening regional stability, economic cooperation and rules-based system is continuously increasing.
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