Indo-Pacific In Play: PM Sets Sights On Missiles, Minerals And Mega Diaspora In Three Nation July Tour

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to undertake a three-nation tour of Southeast Asia and the Pacific in July , with visits planned to Indonesia, New Zealand and Australia in what would mark a significant push to deepen India's strategic and economic footprint across the Indo-Pacific.

The trip is expected to take Modi to Indonesia first, then New Zealand on July 7 and 8 , before he arrives in Australia for a two-day visit on July 9 and 10 . While India's Ministry of External Affairs is unlikely to issue an official announcement until a few days before the three-nation tour, preparations are already well advanced across all three countries.

In Indonesia, the defence dimension will be front and centre. Talks are expected to advance the prospective sale of BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles to Jakarta. Indonesia's defence minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin has confirmed that collaboration on BrahMos technology is on the agenda, and if negotiations progress, Indonesia would become the third Southeast Asian nation in China's strategic backyard to acquire the Indian-made missiles, after the Philippines and Vietnam.

The New Zealand visit, which would be Modi's first to that country, comes in the immediate wake of a landmark India–New Zealand Free Trade Agreement , and aims to strengthen bilateral trade, investment, and diplomatic relations. The FTA, signed last month in New Delhi, removes tariffs on 100 per cent of India's exports to New Zealand while either sharply reducing or eliminating tariffs on 95 per cent of New Zealand's imports from India. Both prime ministers had expressed confidence in doubling bilateral trade over the next five years and attracting $20 billion in New Zealand investment into India over the next 15. The visit is also expected to include a major diaspora engagement. New Zealand's Deputy Prime Minister David Seymour , when asked about the July visit, said confirmation could come very soon.

In Australia, the agenda is expected to focus on energy security and strategic ties, with uranium supply arrangements and defence pacts likely to feature prominently. Items high on the bilateral agenda include trade in critical minerals and the need for Australian capital in India's infrastructure development. Sydney is expected to host official bilateral engagements with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese , reinforcing the growing Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries. Melbourne, meanwhile, is shaping up as the hub for a massive diaspora event. The Australia India Foundation has opened registrations for a proposed "Melbourne Meets Modi" community reception, with officials having inspected venues with capacities of around 14,000 and upwards of 35,000 , with a preference for an indoor venue suitable for Melbourne's winter conditions.

The visit to Australia would be Modi's third , after trips in 2014 and 2023 . The three-nation tour follows Modi's landmark 100th international visit as Prime Minister during his five-nation Europe and Gulf tour last month, which covered the UAE, the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway and Italy. The 2026 Australia visit is seen as potentially transformative, moving a historically cordial relationship into a more strategic and economically meaningful partnership, even as some strain within the Quad grouping continues to cast a shadow over regional alignments.