Modi starts three-nation Indo-Pacific tour

Prime Minister Narendra Modi left New Delhi on Monday for a July 6-11 tour of Indonesia, Australia and New Zealand, a trip officials framed around India’s Act East Policy, MAHASAGAR Vision and a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific.

The itinerary begins in Indonesia from July 6-8, continues in Australia from July 8-10 and ends in New Zealand from July 10-11. Officials said the tour is aimed at deepening bilateral ties across security, trade, investment, education, mobility, technology and people-to-people links.

Indonesia and Australia anchor the tour

Modi is visiting Indonesia at the invitation of President Prabowo Subianto. Officials said India and Indonesia elevated relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership during Modi’s 2018 visit, and this is his first bilateral trip there since that upgrade. Prabowo visited India as chief guest for Republic Day celebrations in January 2025.

In Indonesia, Modi is also expected to meet the Indian diaspora and visit the Prambanan Temple complex in Yogyakarta with Prabowo, a cultural stop intended to reinforce civilisational links between the two countries.

From Indonesia, Modi travels to Melbourne at the invitation of Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. Officials said talks will cover defence and security, trade and investment, education and mobility, emerging and critical technologies, sports and sports science.

The final stop is Auckland, where Modi will meet New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon after Luxon’s India visit in March 2025. By July 11, when the trip is due to end, the main test will be whether the three governments identify concrete trade, security or technology steps beyond diplomatic signalling.