NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to undertake a significant three-nation Indo-Pacific tour in July, visiting Indonesia, New Zealand and Australia as India seeks to deepen its strategic, economic and defence partnerships across the region.
The visit, anticipated to take place in early to mid-July, comes amid growing engagement between India and key Indo-Pacific partners on trade, maritime security, energy cooperation and defence collaboration. The tour is also expected to feature major outreach events with the Indian diaspora, particularly in New Zealand and Australia. Preparations for the visit have gathered pace in recent weeks, with diplomatic engagements and ministerial-level discussions laying the groundwork for the Prime Minister’s expected meetings and announcements across all three countries.
Indonesia visit to focus on maritime security and defence cooperation
The first leg of the tour is expected to take Modi to Indonesia, where he is scheduled to hold talks with President Prabowo Subianto. The visit would serve as a reciprocal engagement following Prabowo’s visit to India last year.
Preparations for the Jakarta visit have been discussed during the recent visit of Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono to New Delhi for the 8th India-Indonesia Joint Commission Meeting. His discussions with External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar focused on strengthening cooperation under the India-Indonesia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
Talks are expected to cover connectivity, maritime security and defence cooperation, alongside pharmaceuticals, trade, medical training and tourism. Bilateral trade between the two countries reached USD 25 billion last year, with both sides exploring greater collaboration in supply chains, healthcare, tourism and joint military exercises. Defence cooperation is expected to feature prominently during the discussions. At the Shangri-La Dialogue, India’s Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh stated that negotiations on a BrahMos supersonic cruise missile deal with Indonesia are in their final stages, indicating growing momentum in defence ties between the two countries.
New Zealand visit expected to mark historic diplomatic milestone
Following Indonesia, Modi is expected to travel to New Zealand on July 7 and 8. The visit is being viewed as a landmark moment in bilateral relations, as it would be the first visit to New Zealand by an Indian Prime Minister in 40 years. The last such visit was undertaken by former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi in 1986.
The visit comes shortly after the conclusion of negotiations on a bilateral Free Trade Agreement between India and New Zealand. The agreement aims to boost market access for goods and services, encourage investment and facilitate mobility for professionals, students and micro, small and medium enterprises.
According to details announced by both sides, the agreement eliminates tariffs on 100 per cent of India’s exports to New Zealand while reducing duties on 95 per cent of New Zealand’s exports. India’s Ministry of Commerce and Industry has indicated that a substantial list of deliverables is currently being finalised ahead of the visit. Preparations are also underway for a major diaspora gathering titled in Auckland. Organisers expect the event to attract between 15,000 and 20,000 members of the Indian community, making it one of the largest Indian diaspora engagements ever held in New Zealand. The visit is expected to focus on trade, investment, education, people-to-people ties and professional mobility, while also reinforcing the growing economic relationship between the two countries.
Australia leg to highlight defence, energy and Quad cooperation
The final leg of the tour is expected to take Modi to Australia on July 9 and 10. The visit would mark his third trip to Australia after earlier visits in 2014 and 2023. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has already confirmed in parliament that he looks forward to hosting Modi. Sydney is expected to host official bilateral engagements, while Melbourne is being prepared for a large community reception. More than 400 organisations have reportedly registered to participate in the event, with attendance expected to range between 20,000 and 40,000 people. Individual registrations for the reception have already opened.
The visit comes amid growing momentum in India-Australia relations. Expectations are high for progress on uranium supplies for India’s civilian nuclear energy programme under safeguards, alongside deeper defence cooperation. In a recent interview with a media, Australian High Commissioner Philip Green spoke of “new landmarks” in bilateral ties and pointed to progress towards a major new defence agreement. He described the partnership as advancing rapidly through high-level engagements and shared interests in maritime security and the Quad framework.
The growing strategic convergence has been underscored by recent visits to India by Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Defence Minister Richard Marles for the Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting and defence dialogue. Australia’s National Defence Strategy 2026 has also identified India as a top-tier security partner.
The expected three-nation tour is being viewed as a significant assertion of India’s Indo-Pacific vision, combining economic engagement, strategic cooperation and diaspora outreach. With discussions spanning trade, defence, critical minerals, energy security, education and maritime cooperation, the visits are expected to further strengthen India’s partnerships with three important Indo-Pacific nations.
