India PM Modi to visit Indonesia, Australia and New Zealand next week, foreign ministry says

According to Lianhe Zaobao citing Reuters, India’s Ministry of External Affairs said Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Indonesia, Australia and New Zealand next week to strengthen ties in the Asia-Pacific. The ministry said on July 3 that Modi will arrive in Indonesia on July 6, then travel to Australia, and conclude his New Zealand visit on July 11. Reuters quoted senior ministry official Tanden as saying India’s focus has shifted to the eastern Indian Ocean and cooperation under its “Act East” framework. Modi is expected to meet Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon. Luxon said in a statement on July 3 that the visit would be historic, marking the first visit by an Indian prime minister to New Zealand in 40 years. New Zealand and India signed a free trade agreement in April that will ultimately eliminate tariffs on 100% of Indian goods and 95% of New Zealand goods.