PM on six-day tour of Indonesia, Australia, New Zealand from July 6, Pg9

Key Highlights:

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi undertook a six-day tour of Indonesia, Australia, and New Zealand from July 6 to July 11.
• The visit aimed to bolster India's ties in the Asia-Pacific region, emphasizing the Act East Policy and eastern maritime zones.
• PM Modi held bilateral talks with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, and New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon.
• The Third India-Australia Annual Summit was conducted in Melbourne, focusing on critical minerals, cybersecurity, and defence cooperation.
• The visit to New Zealand marked the first by an Indian Prime Minister in 40 years, following a recently signed free-trade agreement.
• Significant diaspora engagements were a key component of the Prime Minister's tour in all three nations.

Detailed Insights:

• The tour underscored India's strategic focus on strengthening economic and security engagement with its eastern maritime neighbours.
• Discussions in Australia included enhancing cooperation in emerging technologies and ensuring supply chain resilience.
• Australia is a crucial partner in the Quad grouping, which advocates for a free, open, and stable Indo-Pacific region.
• In Indonesia, PM Modi visited the historical Prambanan Temple complex, a UNESCO World Heritage site, for collaboration on its conservation.
• The Indonesian leg continued discussions initiated during President Prabowo Subianto's visit to India for the 2025 Republic Day celebrations.
• The free-trade agreement with New Zealand, signed in April, signifies growing economic ties and mutual interest in trade and investment.
• The New Zealand visit also covered maritime security, education, and global issues, reflecting a comprehensive bilateral agenda.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Act East Policy: An Indian foreign policy initiative to promote economic, strategic, and cultural relations with the Asia-Pacific region.
• Quad: A strategic dialogue between Australia, India, Japan, and the United States, focused on a free, open, and prosperous Indo-Pacific.
• Free Trade Agreement (FTA): A pact between two or more countries to reduce barriers to imports and exports among them.
• Indo-Pacific: A geopolitical construct encompassing the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean, emphasizing their interconnectedness for regional security and trade.