Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday embarked on a six-day official visit to Indonesia, Australia, and New Zealand, aiming to bolster bilateral ties in trade, defence, and strategic cooperation. This is his first trip to these countries since the COVID-19 pandemic, and it underscores India's growing engagement in the Indo-Pacific region.
Indonesia: Strengthening Maritime Cooperation
In Jakarta, PM Modi will hold talks with President Joko Widodo, focusing on maritime security, infrastructure development, and trade. India and Indonesia are expected to sign several Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) in areas such as defence, cyber security, and health. The two nations share a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, and this visit aims to further deepen it. According to the Ministry of External Affairs, trade between India and Indonesia stood at $26 billion in 2025-26, with potential to grow.
Australia: Quad Summit and Economic Ties
PM Modi will travel to Sydney for the Quad Leaders' Summit, where he will meet with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, US President Joe Biden, and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. The summit will discuss regional security, climate change, and critical technologies. Additionally, Modi will address the Indian diaspora at a community event. Bilateral talks with Albanese will focus on the India-Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA), which came into effect in 2023, boosting two-way trade to $45 billion.
New Zealand: Expanding Partnership
The final leg of the visit will be in New Zealand, where PM Modi will meet Prime Minister Chris Hipkins. Discussions will cover trade, education, and defence cooperation. India and New Zealand are exploring a free trade agreement, and this visit is expected to give momentum to negotiations. New Zealand is a key partner in the Indo-Pacific, and both sides will exchange views on regional issues.
Strategic Significance
This visit comes at a time when India is playing a pivotal role in the Indo-Pacific, countering China's influence. The Quad summit is particularly significant, as it reinforces the grouping's commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific. PM Modi's engagements will also address global challenges like food security, energy transition, and pandemic preparedness, according to officials.
Overall, the six-day tour is expected to yield substantial outcomes, including new agreements, enhanced defence ties, and greater people-to-people connections. The Indian diaspora in these countries will also engage with the Prime Minister, strengthening cultural links.
