PM Modi to begin three-nation tour to Indonesia, New Zealand and Australia from July 6

A state visit to Indonesia, New Zealand, and Australia is scheduled for July 6–11, 2026, marking a significant diplomatic exercise in the Indo-Pacific. The v...

What Happened

A state visit to Indonesia, New Zealand, and Australia is scheduled for July 6–11, 2026, marking a significant diplomatic exercise in the Indo-Pacific.
The visit to New Zealand is the first by an Indian Prime Minister in nearly four decades, reflecting a significant elevation in bilateral relations.
The India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement — concluded in December 2025 — is a central focus of the New Zealand leg; this is described as India's fastest-ever concluded FTA, negotiated in approximately nine months.
In Indonesia, bilateral discussions are expected to cover five pillars: defence and security, trade and investment, food security, energy security and critical minerals, and capacity building in health and education.
The Australia visit aims to advance nuclear, defence, and maritime cooperation (see related article on uranium deal and Quad context).

Static Topic Bridges

India's Act East Policy and the Indo-Pacific Framework

India's Act East Policy, articulated since 2014 as an evolution of the earlier Look East Policy (launched in 1992), reflects India's strategic intent to enhance political, economic, and security engagement with Southeast Asia, East Asia, and the broader Pacific region. The policy goes beyond trade to include connectivity, maritime security, cultural exchange, and defence partnerships. The Indo-Pacific — spanning the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean — has emerged as the defining geopolitical theatre of the 21st century, and India's engagement with Indonesia, New Zealand, and Australia directly advances its presence and influence in this region.

Look East Policy was launched in 1991–92 under Prime Minister P.V. Narasimha Rao's government.
Act East Policy was announced at the East Asia Summit in Naypyidaw, Myanmar in November 2014.
India is a member of ASEAN-led forums: ASEAN+6, East Asia Summit (EAS), and the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF).
Indonesia is the largest economy in Southeast Asia and a G20 member; India-Indonesia bilateral trade was approximately USD 38 billion in 2024–25.

Connection to this news: Visits to Indonesia (Southeast Asia's anchor state) and Indo-Pacific partners Australia and New Zealand collectively operationalise India's Act East Policy and signal India's commitment to the rules-based Indo-Pacific order.

India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (2025)

The India-New Zealand FTA was concluded in December 2025, making it one of India's most significant recent trade agreements. Negotiations began in March 2025 and concluded in approximately nine months — described as the fastest-ever for India. The agreement provides duty-free access for 100% of Indian exports to New Zealand, while New Zealand gains duty-free or reduced-tariff access for approximately 95% of its exports to India, with about 57% duty-free from day one rising to 82% upon full implementation. The deal includes a commitment from New Zealand to promote private sector investment into India targeting USD 20 billion over 15 years, along with the establishment of a New Zealand Investment Desk in India.

India-New Zealand bilateral merchandise trade: approximately USD 1,298 million in 2024–25 (up from USD 855 million in 2015–16).
Indian exports benefiting: pharmaceuticals, textiles, engineering goods, IT services.
New Zealand exports benefiting: dairy products, sheep meat, wool, kiwifruit, seafood, apples, manuka honey.
The last Indian Prime Ministerial visit to New Zealand before this one was nearly four decades ago, underscoring how underexplored the bilateral relationship has historically been.

Connection to this news: The New Zealand leg of the tour is anchored on the newly signed FTA, which the visit is expected to formally launch or celebrate, elevating a historically low-profile bilateral relationship.

India-Indonesia Strategic Partnership

India and Indonesia share a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership established formally in 2018, though diplomatic relations span 76 years. Indonesia is an archipelagic nation of strategic importance, straddling critical sea lanes — including the Strait of Malacca, through which approximately 80% of India's oil imports pass. Indonesia is also the world's largest Muslim-majority democracy and is a key G20 member. India and Indonesia cooperate on defence, counterterrorism, maritime security, trade, and people-to-people ties. Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto visited India in January 2025, making the July 2026 visit a reciprocal engagement.

Indonesia controls the Strait of Malacca, the Sunda Strait, and the Lombok Strait — critical chokepoints for Indo-Pacific maritime trade.
India-Indonesia bilateral trade: approximately USD 38 billion (2024–25); both countries target USD 50 billion.
The defence cooperation dimension includes joint exercises (IND-INDO CORPAT), maritime patrolling, and cooperation on defence manufacturing.
Indonesia has the world's largest nickel reserves — a critical mineral for EV batteries — making it a key partner in India's energy transition strategy.

Connection to this news: Discussions during the Indonesia visit are expected to cover critical minerals (including nickel), which aligns with India's domestic manufacturing goals under initiatives like PLI (Production Linked Incentive) and the EV transition agenda.

Key Facts & Data

India-New Zealand FTA concluded: December 2025; negotiations began March 2025 (approx. nine months — fastest Indian FTA).
India-New Zealand FTA: 100% duty-free for Indian exports; 95% duty-free or reduced for New Zealand exports (57% from day one).
New Zealand investment commitment: USD 20 billion target over 15 years in India.
India-New Zealand bilateral trade: approximately USD 1,298 million (2024–25).
India-Indonesia bilateral trade: approximately USD 38 billion (2024–25).
Look East Policy launched: 1992; rebranded Act East Policy: 2014.
Indonesia: largest economy in ASEAN, G20 member, world's largest nickel reserves.
The previous Indian Prime Ministerial visit to New Zealand was approximately four decades ago.