Blitz Bureau
NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on July 6 embarked on a three-nation visit to Indonesia, Australia and New Zealand and said that this tour will further strengthen India’s Act East Policy as well as the commitment towards a free and open Indo-Pacific.
Earlier in his departure statement, PM Modi said that he will be in Indonesia from July 6-8 at the invitation of Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto.
“India and Indonesia elevated bilateral ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership during my first visit to Indonesia in 2018. This will be my first bilateral visit after the elevation of our bilateral ties and follows the state visit of President Prabowo, who was the chief guest at our Republic Day celebrations on 26 January, 2025,” the Prime Minister said.
He mentioned that India and Indonesia share strong civilisational and people-to-people ties and this visit will “further deepen all aspects of our multifaceted partnership”.
“During this visit, I will also interact with the Indian diaspora in Indonesia and visit the Prambanan Temple complex at Yogyakarta with President Prabowo, which is another remarkable testament to our close cultural ties,” he added.
PM Modi said that after concluding the Indonesia visit, he will travel to Melbourne at the invitation of his Australian counterpart, Anthony Albanese. “My visit will strengthen our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, and I shall, in my discussions with Prime Minister Albanese, take forward our relations in the areas of defence and security, trade and investments, education and mobility and people-to-people ties,” he said.
PM Modi said that he will also interact with the Indian diaspora in Melbourne, calling the community “an important pillar” of India-Australia Strategic Partnership.
