PM Modi’s tour of three countries begins, focus will be on Act East Policy and Indo-Pacific cooperation

New Delhi, July 6: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be on a six-day visit to Indonesia, Australia and New Zealand from Monday 6 to 11 July. Before leaving, he said that the visit will further strengthen India’s ‘Act East Policy’, ‘MAHASAGAR Vision’ and India’s commitment towards a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific.

The Prime Minister said that this visit will give new impetus to India’s bilateral relations with the three countries. He said that MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security Across the Regions) is a vision of India, which aims to promote security and overall development of all regions.

The journey will start from Indonesia

Prime Minister Modi will start his visit from Indonesia from 6 to 8 July. The visit is taking place at the invitation of President Prabowo Subianto. Modi said that during his 2018 visit, the relationship between the two countries was given the status of Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and this will be his first bilateral visit after that.

He said he would along with President Prabowo visit the Prambanan temple complex in Yogyakarta, which symbolizes the deep cultural ties between India and Indonesia. Apart from this, he will also meet the Indian community in Indonesia.

Defense, trade and technology will be discussed in Australia

After Indonesia, Prime Minister Modi will visit Melbourne, Australia, where he will hold bilateral talks with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. He said that there will be discussions to further strengthen cooperation between the two countries in areas like defense and security, trade and investment, education, mobility, people-to-people relations, emerging technology, sports and sports science. During this time he will also address the Indian community.

Emphasis on economic and trade cooperation in New Zealand

On the last leg of the tour, Prime Minister Modi will visit Auckland at the invitation of New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon. He said that this visit will give a new direction to bilateral relations after Prime Minister Lakson’s visit to India in March 2025.

The Prime Minister said that there will be discussion on further strengthening the economic, trade and commercial cooperation between the two countries. Besides, there will be emphasis on strengthening trade relations through Free Trade Agreement (FTA). He said that the Indian community in New Zealand has played an important role in strengthening the relations between the two countries and he is excited to address the Indian community there.