New Delhi, 06 July (H.S.):

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday departed on a six-day visit to Indonesia, Australia and New Zealand, saying the tour will further strengthen India's Act East Policy, MAHASAGAR Vision and its commitment to a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific. The visit, scheduled from July 6 to July 11, is aimed at expanding strategic, economic and people-to-people ties with the three Indo-Pacific partners.

In his departure statement, Prime Minister Modi said the three-nation tour would provide an opportunity to deepen India's engagement across the Eastern and Southern Indian Ocean regions while advancing cooperation in trade, defence, technology, education and cultural exchanges.

The Prime Minister will begin his visit in Indonesia from July 6 to July 8 at the invitation of President Prabowo Subianto. This will be his first bilateral visit to Indonesia since the two countries elevated their relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership during his 2018 visit. It also follows President Prabowo's State Visit to India as the Chief Guest at the Republic Day celebrations on January 26, 2025.

During his stay in Indonesia, PM Modi and President Prabowo are expected to review progress in bilateral cooperation and discuss ways to further strengthen ties across key sectors. The Prime Minister will also interact with members of the Indian diaspora and visit the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Prambanan Temple complex in Yogyakarta with President Prabowo, highlighting the centuries-old civilisational and cultural links between the two nations.

From Indonesia, Prime Minister Modi will travel to Melbourne, Australia, from July 8 to July 10 at the invitation of Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. The visit is expected to further strengthen the India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

During bilateral talks, the two leaders are expected to review cooperation in defence and security, trade and investment, education, mobility and people-to-people exchanges. The discussions will also focus on expanding collaboration in emerging and critical technologies, as well as sports and sports science.PM Modi is also scheduled to meet members of the Indian diaspora in Melbourne, describing the community as a vital pillar of the bilateral relationship.

The final leg of the tour will take the Prime Minister to Auckland, New Zealand, from July 10 to July 11 at the invitation of Prime Minister Christopher Luxon. The visit follows Luxon's visit to India in March 2025 and is expected to build on the momentum generated by that engagement.

PM Modi and Luxon are expected to discuss measures to further strengthen economic, trade and commercial cooperation. The leaders are also expected to review the implementation of the India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement, signed earlier this year to enhance bilateral trade, investment and commercial ties. The Prime Minister will also address a large gathering of the Indian community, acknowledging the significant contribution of the Indian diaspora to New Zealand's development and to bilateral relations.

In his statement before departure,PM Modi said the three-nation visit would reinforce India's strategic engagement with key Indo-Pacific partners and further advance the country's Act East Policy and MAHASAGAR Vision. He expressed confidence that the visit would deepen cooperation across multiple sectors while strengthening India's shared commitment with Indonesia, Australia and New Zealand to a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific region.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar