PM to begin three-nation tour on July 6

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will embark on a six-day visit to Indonesia, Australia and New Zealand from July 6 to 11, aimed at strengthening India’s strategic, economic and cultural ties with the three Indo-Pacific partners.

On Friday, Secretary (East) in the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Rudrendra Tandon said the Prime Minister’s visit would focus on expanding cooperation in areas ranging from maritime security and critical minerals to emerging technologies and trade.

The first leg of the tour will take PM Modi to Indonesia from July 6 to 8. His principal engagements will be held in Jakarta, while he will also visit the historic city of Yogyakarta, where he is scheduled to visit the iconic Prambanan Temple complex. India and Indonesia will collaborate on conservation work at the UNESCO World Heritage site, underscoring the shared cultural heritage between the two countries.

Tandon said the visit would build upon discussions initiated during Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto’s visit to India as the Chief Guest for the Republic Day celebrations earlier this year.

He also highlighted Indonesia’s pivotal role in ensuring the security and stability of the strategically important Malacca Strait, describing it as one of India’s most critical sea lanes of communication and a vital maritime corridor for global trade.

The Prime Minister will then travel to Australia from July 8 to 10, where he will participate in the third India-Australia Annual Summit in Melbourne. The summit is expected to review progress in the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and explore new avenues of cooperation in critical minerals, cybersecurity, supply chain resilience, emerging technologies and other key sectors.

The final leg of the visit will be to New Zealand from July 10 to 11, where Mr Modi will hold bilateral talks with his New Zealand counterpart, Christopher Luxon. The visit will be the first by an Indian Prime Minister to New Zealand in nearly four decades, marking a significant milestone in bilateral relations.

Earlier on Friday, Prime Minister Luxon announced Mr Modi’s upcoming visit, describing India as one of the world’s largest and fastest-growing economies and an increasingly important partner for New Zealand’s economic prosperity.

Luxon said the recently signed New Zealand-India Free Trade Agreement would take bilateral ties to the next level by boosting exports, creating jobs and expanding economic opportunities. The agreement, signed earlier this year, is expected to enhance trade in goods and services while promoting greater investment flows between the two countries.

The three-nation visit reflects India’s continued emphasis on strengthening partnerships across the Indo-Pacific region through closer strategic cooperation, enhanced economic engagement and deeper people-to-people and cultural ties.