PM Modi Embarks on Six-Day Tour to Strengthen Indo-Pacific Ties
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday departed for a six-day visit to Indonesia, Australia, and New Zealand, reinforcing India's Act East Policy and its commitment to a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific. The tour, spanning July 6 to 11, aims to advance India's 'MAHASAGAR' vision, which focuses on maritime cooperation in the Indian Ocean region.
In his departure statement, the Prime Minister said, 'My visit to Indonesia and Australia in the Eastern and Southern Indian Ocean, respectively, followed by New Zealand, will further strengthen India's Act East Policy, MAHASAGAR Vision, as well as our outlook towards a free and open Indo-Pacific.'
The first leg of the tour covers Indonesia from July 6 to 8, at the invitation of President Prabowo Subianto. This marks PM Modi's fourth visit to the maritime neighbour and the first bilateral visit since the relationship was elevated to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in May 2018. During his stay, he will interact with the Indian diaspora and accompany President Prabowo to the Prambanan Temple Complex in Yogyakarta, a UNESCO World Heritage site symbolising deep cultural links between the two nations.
Key outcomes expected include dedicated training slots for Indonesian cadets and officers at India's National Defence Academy and Defence Services Staff College, bolstering long-term defence capacity-building. Critical mineral cooperation will also be a focus, given Indonesia's dominance in global critical minerals—commanding about 21% of the world's nickel reserves and being a top producer of copper, bauxite, and tin. The two governments are also working on a government-to-government bulk supply framework for affordable medicines, modelled on India's Jan Aushadhi scheme, to support Indonesia's rural revitalisation initiative, the Red and White Village Cooperatives.
Additionally, greater connectivity between India's Unified Payments Interface (UPI) and Indonesia's QRIS digital payment systems is being finalised, which will simplify travel, trade, and financial transactions. India will also commemorate the centenary of Rabindranath Tagore's visit to Indonesia in 2027.
After Indonesia, PM Modi will travel to Australia from July 8 to 10. He is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Anthony Albanese for bilateral talks focusing on expanding the India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Discussions will cover defence and security, trade and investment, education, mobility, and people-to-people ties. The Prime Minister will also interact with the Indian community in Melbourne, describing the diaspora as an 'important pillar' of the bilateral relationship.
The final leg of the tour is New Zealand from July 10 to 11, where engagements will further deepen bilateral ties in the Indo-Pacific region.
