Modi Begins Six-Nation Indo-Pacific Tour

Synopsis

On 6 July 2026, Prime Minister Narendra Modi embarked on a three-nation Indo-Pacific tour to Indonesia, Australia and New Zealand, with the objective of further strengthening India's presence in the region. The visit marks his first-ever bilateral visit to Indonesia since the two countries upgraded their relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2018 and the first Indian PM visit to New Zealand in almost 40 years.

A Reciprocal Visit, Long in the Making

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit Indonesia, Australia and New Zealand on a six-day tour on Monday, which would "further strengthen India's Act East Policy, MAHASAGAR Vision as well as our outlook towards a free and open Indo-Pacific" in his departure statement.

The trip to Indonesia has been Modi's fourth in the country since 2018, when India and Indonesia made bilateral ties a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. It is in response to the visit by President Prabowo Subianto to India on January 26, 2025, as chief guest of the Republic Day.

Water Security at the heart of the Agenda

The five areas of cooperation discussed ahead of the visit were defence and security, trade and investment, food security, energy security, critical minerals and downstreaming and capacity-building in the health and education sector, said the Indian Ambassador to Indonesia Sandeep Chakravorty. “Maritime neighbour, we share the same maritime space,” Chakravorty said at press briefing in Jakarta.

There's a lot of strategic heft behind this framing. The Malacca Strait is the gateway for over 60 per cent of India's seaborne trade, thanks to the Indonesian island being the biggest maritime country in the region.

Indonesia's position along this trade route is another important factor in considering progress on maritime cooperation, defence cooperation and economic ties, MEA Secretary (East) Rudrendra Tandon said separately during the visit.

Cultural Diplomacy in Yogyakarta

The visit has not only a strategic dimension, but also a civilisational one. President Prabowo will accompany Modi on a visit to the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Prambanan Temple complex, in Yogyakarta.

The government of India has pledged support to the temple to restore it, with the help of the Ministry of Culture of Indonesia and the Heritage Institute, through the Archaeological Survey of India.

India and Indonesia have very deep civilisational and people-to-people linkages and the visit will help strengthen all facets of our multifaceted partnership," Modi said in his departure note.

Modi will also address a huge gathering of the Indian diaspora at the Jakarta International Convention Center and talk about several MOUs related to healthcare, space, science and technology, education, pharmaceuticals and food security.

Onward to Australia & New Zealand

Modi will be visiting Melbourne to participate in the third India-Australia Annual Summit, under their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, which includes defence, trade, education, and emerging technologies, from 8–10 July on an invitation from Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.

The final leg is from July 10 to 11 to New Zealand where Modi will meet Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, the first visit by an Indian prime minister in nearly 40 years. The visit follows Luxon's visit to India in 2025 as guest of honour at the Raisina Dialogue, which culminated in signing of the India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement.

Topics to be discussed in Auckland include trade, education, agriculture, renewable energy, regional security and addressing the Indian diaspora.

Outlook

The order of the tour — Indonesia first, followed by two Pacific democracies — reflects New Delhi's ongoing push to expand its Indo-Pacific partnerships beyond the Quad, amid a backdrop of ongoing strategic competition for influence throughout the region.