PM Modi begins Indonesia, Australia, New Zealand tour with focus on trade, security

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday departed on a six-day visit to Indonesia, Australia and New Zealand, saying the trip would help deepen India's strategic partnerships, boost trade and investment ties, and reinforce New Delhi's Act East Policy and vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific.

Modi will visit Indonesia from July 6 to 8 at the invitation of President Prabowo Subianto, followed by Australia and New Zealand as part of his three-nation tour concluding on July 11.

In his departure statement, the prime minister said his visit to Indonesia would be the first bilateral visit since the two countries elevated ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership during his 2018 trip.

The visit also follows President Prabowo's state visit to India as the chief guest at the Republic Day celebrations in January 2025.

"India and Indonesia share strong civilisational and people-to-people ties and my visit will further deepen all aspects of our multifaceted partnership," Modi said.

Besides holding talks with the Indonesian leadership, the prime minister would also interact with the Indian diaspora and visit the Prambanan Temple complex in Yogyakarta along with President Prabowo.

From Indonesia, Modi will travel to Melbourne at the invitation of Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.

He said discussions with Albanese would focus on taking forward the India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in areas including defence and security, trade and investment, education, mobility and people-to-people ties.

The visit will also provide an opportunity to expand cooperation in emerging and critical technologies as well as sports and sports science, he said.

PM Modi’s Australia visit could also result in a uranium supply deal amid New Delhi’s efforts to expand nuclear power generation, reported The Economic Times, citing people familiar with the developments..

Australia, which holds a third of the world’s known uranium reserves, entered into a framework pact with India more than a decade ago.

Modi said he would also interact with members of the Indian diaspora in Australia, calling them an important pillar of the bilateral strategic partnership.

The final leg of the tour will take Modi to Auckland, where he will hold talks with New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon.

The prime minister said the visit would build on the momentum generated by Luxon's visit to India in March 2025.

He said the two sides would discuss ways to further enhance economic, trade and commercial engagement, noting that India and New Zealand have committed to strengthening bilateral trade and commercial ties through a Free Trade Agreement.

Modi also said he looked forward to addressing a large gathering of the Indian community in New Zealand.

He said the three-nation visit would further strengthen India's Act East Policy, the MAHASAGAR Vision and the country's outlook towards a free and open Indo-Pacific.