PM Modi Begins Three-Nation Visit to Strengthen Indo-Pacific Ties and Maritime Security

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday departed for a six-day visit to Indonesia, Australia and New Zealand, stating that the high-level engagement would reinforce India's Act East Policy, advance its "MAHASAGAR" vision and deepen the country's commitment to a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific.

In his departure statement prior to the July 6-11 visit, he noted that the high-level engagement would capitalise on the robust momentum in India's relations with the three key partners, expanding cooperation across strategic, economic and people-centric sectors.

The "MAHASAGAR" framework--which stands for Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security Across the Regions--represents India's institutional blueprint for fostering security, stability and inclusive growth across the maritime domain.

The Prime Minister will commence the first leg of his visit to Indonesia from July 6 to 8 at the invitation of President Prabowo Subianto.

Why is PM Modi’s Indonesia visit a milestone in India-Indonesia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership?

This high-profile engagement signifies the Prime Minister's fourth visit to the maritime neighbour and stands as the inaugural bilateral visit since the relationship was formally elevated to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in May 2018.

Recalling that the two democracies elevated their ties during his 2018 visit, the Prime Minister observed that this marks his first bilateral visit since then, following President Prabowo's high-profile visit to India as the Chief Guest for the Republic Day celebrations in January 2025.

During his schedule, he will interact with the Indian diaspora and accompany President Prabowo on a visit to the Prambanan Temple Complex in Yogyakarta, describing the UNESCO-listed site as a symbol of the deep cultural links between the two nations.

This visit to Indonesia marks a pivotal milestone in reinforcing the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two nations, with advancing defence and maritime cooperation serving as a cornerstone of the bilateral agenda.

Strategic security ties have achieved robust momentum, characterised by an expanding scope of high-level visits, regular bilateral and multilateral exercises, and deeper defence industry cooperation, which includes the significant sale of BrahMos missiles.

As immediate maritime neighbours, both democracies previously adopted the Shared Vision of India-Indonesia Maritime Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific in 2018.

To provide further impetus to collective maritime domain awareness, an Indonesian Liaison Officer is being stationed at the Information Fusion Centre-Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR) in India.

(With inputs from ANI)