Prime Minister Narendra Modi has begun a six-day visit to Indonesia, Australia and New Zealand, signalling India’s renewed push to strengthen strategic, economic and technology partnerships across the Indo-Pacific. Running from 6 to 11 July, the tour is expected to advance India’s Act East Policy and MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security Across the Regions) vision while expanding cooperation in defence, trade, digital payments, critical minerals and supply chains.
Indonesia: Defence Ties, BrahMos and Digital Cooperation on the Table
PM Modi’s first stop is Indonesia, where he will hold talks with President Prabowo Subianto. Both countries are expected to review their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, first announced in 2018 and discuss ways to deepen maritime security cooperation.
Defence is expected to dominate the talks. Negotiations on the proposed export of the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile are likely to move forward, alongside discussions on possible cooperation involving Scorpene-class submarines.
Digital connectivity is likely to feature prominently, with both sides exploring wider use of India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) through Indonesia’s QRIS payment network to simplify cross-border transactions. Modi will also visit the UNESCO-listed Prambanan Temple and meet members of the Indian diaspora.
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Australia: Critical Minerals, Technology and Business Investment
From Jakarta, PM Modi will travel to Melbourne for meetings with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
The discussions are expected to focus on strengthening defence and maritime cooperation, securing critical mineral supplies for India’s manufacturing and clean energy sectors, expanding trade and investment and improving collaboration in education, research and skilled mobility.
PM Modi is also scheduled to meet leading Australian business executives and interact with the Indian community, which now numbers close to 1 million.
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New Zealand: Historic Visit to Drive Trade and Economic Ties
The final leg of the visit will take Modi to New Zealand, marking the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister in nearly four decades.
Talks with Prime Minister Christopher Luxon are expected to centre on implementing the recently signed India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (FTA), which will gradually eliminate tariffs on all Indian goods and around 95 per cent of New Zealand exports. The leaders are also expected to discuss agriculture, technology, education, tourism and commercial partnerships while engaging with the Indian diaspora.
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Why Does the Visit Matter?
The three-nation tour reflects India’s growing emphasis on the Indo-Pacific at a time when supply chains, maritime security, digital infrastructure and trusted technology partnerships are becoming central to regional cooperation. By combining defence, trade, digital payments and investment into a single diplomatic agenda, New Delhi is seeking to strengthen its long-term presence across the region while building closer ties with key partners.
The outcomes of this visit will be closely watched by businesses and policymakers alike. Any progress on the BrahMos export, UPI-QRIS integration, critical minerals and the India-New Zealand FTA could create fresh opportunities across defence, fintech, manufacturing and cross-border trade, while reinforcing India’s strategic footprint in the Indo-Pacific.
Samarjit Kaur is a journalist and communications professional covering technology & emerging digital trends. With a focus on clarity and context, she reports on developments shaping industries and governance. When not reporting, she chooses to plug-in and relax on her playlists and plan her next bucket-list trips!
