Next week, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit New Zealand, Indonesia, and Australia on a high-level diplomatic tour. This move is in line with India’s Act East Policy, which aims to increase strategic engagement with the Indo-Pacific region. The visit is expected to improve partnerships between India and three important regional democracies, with a focus on growing cooperation in maritime security, military, commerce, investment, and new technologies, according to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
The prime minister will begin his tour on July 6 in Jakarta, Indonesia, for bilateral consultations. From there, he will go to Yogyakarta, where he will visit the Prambanan Temple Complex, a World Heritage Site recognised by UNESCO. Since its introduction in 2018, the India-Indonesia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership has been a major pillar of India’s Act East Policy and the MAHASAGAR Vision. The visit is anticipated to further strengthen this partnership.
Indonesia’s strategic importance was emphasised by MEA Secretary (East) Rudrendra Tandon, who cited the country’s placement in the Strait of Malacca, a world-renowned maritime commerce route. During their time together, the heads of state will likely discuss the Indo-Pacific region’s emerging potential and the state of maritime cooperation, defence cooperation, economic links, and people-to-people contacts.
As part of the most senior institutional engagement set up by the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership that was signed in 2020, Prime Minister Modi will go to Melbourne on July 10 to take part in the third India-Australia Annual Summit. As the breadth of bilateral connections grows, topics such as vital minerals, cyber defence, resilient supply chains, renewable energy, defence collaboration, and cutting-edge technology will be discussed.
New Zealand is the last stop on Modi’s tour, and he will meet with Prime Minister Christopher Luxon there on July 11. After Luxon’s 2025 visit to India as the Guest of Honour at the Raisina Dialogue, which resulted in the completion of the India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (FTA), bilateral ties have gained considerable impetus. It is believed that the two heads of state will meet to deliberate on ways to work together on issues of regional security, renewable energy, education, agriculture, and trade.
Since this is the first trip to New Zealand by an Indian prime minister in almost 40 years, it is very significant diplomatically and highlights the renewed emphasis on bolstering India’s position across the Pacific region. Along with strengthening economic and strategic ties with like-minded nations, the three-nation journey showcases India’s dedication to creating an Indo-Pacific region that is free, open, inclusive, and governed by norms.
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