Prime Minister Narendra Modi's diplomatic tour of Indonesia, Australia, and New Zealand has produced 10 key outcomes for India, according to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
These developments signal a push to strengthen India's influence in the Indo-Pacific region through a combination of defense procurement and strategic partnerships. The tour aims to advance the government's Act East policy while diversifying security cooperation across Southeast Asia and Oceania.
The diplomatic mission began July 9, 2024 [1]. A central achievement of the tour is a significant agreement to provide BrahMos missiles to Indonesia. The BJP highlighted this deal as a primary example of the strategic success of the trip.
"The visit has yielded unprecedented strategic gains, including a major BrahMos missile deal with Indonesia," a BJP spokesperson said.
Beyond defense, the tour focused on expanding trade and technology cooperation. The administration intends to use these visits to solidify ties with regional partners to ensure a stable and open maritime environment. The three-nation itinerary was designed to address shared security concerns and economic integration.
Modi emphasized the broader geopolitical goals of the mission. "This visit will boost India's Indo-Pacific vision," Modi said.
The BJP maintains that the 10 outcomes achieved during the tour represent a shift in India's diplomatic reach. By securing high-level agreements in both the ASEAN region and the South Pacific, the government seeks to position India as a primary security provider in the region.
“The visit has yielded unprecedented strategic gains, including a major BrahMos missile deal with Indonesia”
The focus on a missile deal with Indonesia suggests India is pivoting toward becoming a defense exporter to strengthen its strategic autonomy. By linking defense sales with diplomatic visits to Australia and New Zealand, India is attempting to build a network of security partnerships that counterbalance other regional powers in the Indo-Pacific.
