India’s growing role in the Indo-Pacific

PM Modi’s three-nation visit (6-11 July 2026) to Indonesia, Australia and New Zealand, marked another significant milestone in India’s Indo-Pacific strategy. Coming close on the heels of high-level visits to India by the leaders of Vietnam and Japan, as well as Modi’s visit to Seychelles, it reflected a carefully calibrated diplomatic outreach aimed at consolidating India’s position as a leading maritime and strategic power across the Indo-Pacific.

During Vietnam’s President To Lam’s visit (5-6 May), the bilateral relationship was elevated to an ‘Enhanced Comprehensive Strategic Partnership’, broadening cooperation beyond traditional sectors to emerging areas such as artificial intelligence, fintech, digital payments, pharmaceuticals, rare earths, semiconductors, new-age technology and culture, making the partnership multidimensional, resilient and future-oriented.
Similarly, Japan’s PM Sanae Takai-chi’s visit (1-3 July), further strengthened the Japan-India Special Strategic and Global Partnership. The two countries expanded cooperation in semiconductors, critical minerals, information and communication technology including AI, clean energy and pharmaceuticals.

Significantly, both Vietnam and Japan reaffirmed the importance of UNCLOS, and expressed support for India’s MAHASAGAR doctrine, which seeks to expand India’s maritime, diplomatic, security, and economic partnerships across the Indo-Pacific and the Global South.
During PM Modi’s visit to Seychelles (27-29 June), the two countries signed agreements to further strengthen cooperation in health, education, capacity building, digital transformation, sustainable development, social infrastructure, renewable energy, maritime security and defence. India also handed over a ‘Made in India’ Fast Patrol Vessel (PS LESPWAR), along with six ambulances, utility vehicles, and laser-guided boats to support Seychelles’ Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) patrol capabilities. Given Seychelles’ strategic location in the western Indian Ocean, these initiatives substantially reinforce India’s maritime presence and regional influence.

Against this backdrop, Modi’s visit to Indonesia, Australia and New Zealand demonstrated India’s determination to deepen partnerships across the Indo-Pacific, at a time of increasing geopolitical uncertainty and intensifying great power competition.

During Modi’s visit to Indonesia (6-8 July), the two countries strengthened the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership by making agreements covering defence, critical minerals, agriculture, steel, maritime cooperation and emerging technologies. The agreements for India’s export of the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile and beyond-visual-range air-to-air missiles, marked another major success for India’s defence exports.

Two countries agreed to strengthen partnership centred on the Indo-Pacific, defence cooperation, maritime security, critical minerals and resilient supply chains with defence industrial cooperation emerging as the centrepiece of the relationship.

The most strategically important development was the decision to jointly develop Sabang Port on Weh Island near the entrance to the Straits of Malacca. Viewed alongside India’s own Great Nicobar project, about 150 Kms away, this agreement carries immense geopolitical significance. India’s project includes an International Container Transhipment Terminal (Galathea Bay), a dual-use airport, a power plant and a new township. These initiatives substantially enhance India’s strategic presence at one of the world’s most critical maritime chokepoints and strengthen its ability to contribute to maritime security in the region.

India increasingly views Indonesia not merely as ASEAN’s largest economy but as one of the most important maritime partners in Southeast Asia and for the Act East Policy. At a time of increasing contestation in the South China Sea (SCS) and the Indian Ocean, closer ties with Indonesia are a strategic necessity. Indonesia’s approach is closely aligned with IPOI and MAHASAGAR.

During Modi’s visit to Australia (8-10 July), the two countries signed the Joint Declaration on Defence and Security Cooperation and the Maritime Security Collaboration Roadmap, boosting the bilateral relationship.

These initiatives significantly enhance military interoperability, institutionalise Annual Defence Ministers’ Dialogues, and deepen cooperation between the Indian Coast Guard and Australia’s Maritime Border Command. The two countries also agreed to strengthen energy supply chains, promote renewable energy resources, accelerate energy transition and maintain open and secure energy trade.

One of the most significant outcomes was Australia’s decision to supply Uranium to India, ensuring long-term energy security while strengthening strategic trust between the two countries.

India and Australia reaffirmed their commitment to open markets, rule-based trade, and a free, open, inclusive and prosperous Indo-Pacific region. Noting increasing strategic uncertainty, they called for the resolution of disputes without the threat or use of force or coercion and in accordance with international law. They endorsed the Quad, reiterated their support for ASEAN centrality, and backed each other’s non-permanent United Nations Security Council bids. Australia explicitly reiterated its strong support for India’s permanent UNSC membership.
During Modi’s visit to New Zealand (10-11 July) the bilateral relationship was elevated to a strategic partnership, opening a new chapter.

The two countries agreed to double their bilateral trade in goods and services to Rs 35,000 crore by 2030. Agreements included a four-year roadmap to expand cooperation, a framework for enhancing Indo-Pacific maritime cooperation, and a reciprocal logistics support pact between the Indian Navy and the New Zealand Defence Force. The two PMs also called for freedom of navigation and overflight and other lawful uses of the seas under the 1982 UNCLOS. They agreed to establish a maritime security dialogue to strengthen cooperation, coordination and information sharing.

Seen in the above context, Modi’s visit represented strategic consolidation of India’s expanding role across the Indo-Pacific. It was more than a diplomatic tour: it demonstrated India’s commitment to shape the regional structure on the lines of IPOI and MAHASAGAR. The decisions to develop Sabang Port of Indonesia, to import Uranium from Australia and to establish strategic partnership with New Zealand will generate enduring strategic dividends.

The visit underlined three defining features of India’s foreign policy.

First, it reflected India’s growing role as a leading power in the Indo-Pacific.

Second, it demonstrated a decisive expansion of India’s Act East policy into a broader Indo-Pacific strategy, extending engagements beyond Southeast Asia.

Third, it highlighted the growing success of India’s multi-alignment policy, establishing that it is translating strategic autonomy into strong partnerships based on mutual trust, mutual interest, and mutual respect.

India’s expanding networks of strategic partnerships across the region, combined with its economic strength, maritime capabilities and diplomatic credibility, positions it to play an important role in safeguarding an open, free, inclusive Indo-Pacific governed by a rule-based system.

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