New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday departed on a three-nation tour of Indonesia, Australia and New Zealand, saying the visit will further strengthen India's Act East Policy, MAHASAGAR Vision and its commitment to a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific.
Modi will visit Indonesia from July 6 to 8, Australia from July 8 to 10, and New Zealand from July 10 to 11, with the tour aimed at deepening bilateral ties.
"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, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific," Modi said in a departure statement.
MAHASAGAR, or Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security Across the Regions, is India's vision for security and growth across the region.
At the invitation of Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, Modi said he will visit Indonesia from July 6 to 8.
"India and Indonesia elevated bilateral ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership during my first visit to Indonesia in 2018," he said.
The prime minister said this would be his first bilateral visit since the elevation of ties and comes after 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," he said.
During the visit, Modi said he will also interact with the Indian diaspora in Indonesia and visit the Prambanan Temple complex in Yogyakarta with President Prabowo, describing it as another remarkable testament to the close cultural ties between the two countries.
From Indonesia, Modi will travel to Melbourne at the invitation of Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
"My visit will strengthen our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, and in my discussions with Prime Minister Albanese, I will take forward our cooperation in the areas of defence and security, trade and investment, education and mobility, and people-to-people ties," he said.
Modi said he would also interact with the Indian diaspora in Melbourne, calling it an important pillar of the strategic partnership.
"Further, this visit will also provide an opportunity for India and Australia to deepen bilateral cooperation in emerging and critical technologies, sports, and sports science," he said.
The final leg of the tour will take him to Auckland at the invitation of New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon.
"My visit will meaningfully build upon the strong momentum in our bilateral ties following Prime Minister Luxon's visit to India in March 2025," he said.
Modi said he would discuss with Luxon ways to further enhance economic, trade and commercial engagement.
He said India and New Zealand have committed themselves to strengthening bilateral trade and commercial ties through the signing of a Free Trade Agreement.
"Our bilateral ties have been significantly strengthened by the Indian diaspora, and during this visit, I look forward to addressing a large gathering of the Indian community, who have excelled in all spheres of life," he said.
