'Act East Policy in action': Former Envoy says PM Modi's visit to Australia and New Zealand set to bolster ties, maritime security
New Delhi, July 8
Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's much-anticipated visit to Australia and New Zealand, former diplomat Vidya Bhushan Soni on Wednesday said that the visit will renew India's links in the region, which now also hosts a sizeable Indian diaspora. He said that the visit will also focus on maritime security and reflect India's Act East Policy in action in the wake of rising military presence of China and a lack of Washington's warmth in the region.
Speaking to ANI, the former envoy underlined the importance of renewing the ties with Australia and New Zealand as they are "a little disappointed by the lack of warmth in US policies towards the Pacific region... From our point of view, we renew links with Australia and New Zealand."
He highlighted how the diaspora has significantly grown in the last three to four decades in Australia, playing an important role by contributing to society.
Detailing on other avenues of the relationship, Soni told ANI, "Safety and security, maritime security is the most important sector from their point of view and from our point of view. There should be free movement. Sea lanes must not be overshadowed by the military presence of the Chinese. Australia, therefore, will be very important."
For the New Zealand leg of PM Modi's visit, the former diplomat told ANI how the historic visit by an Indian Prime Minister to the country comes amid a backdrop of the recently inked trade agreement between New Delhi and Wellington last year.
He underlined that the agreement would open a plethora of opportunities for the two countries.
"Therefore, it is Act East Policy in action. Maritime security is important...They will be reassured by India's interest in that region," Soni told ANI.
As per the Ministry of External Affairs, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be visiting Australia at the invitation of his counterpart, Anthony Albanese, from July 8-10, followed by a visit to New Zealand from July 10-11 at the invitation of Prime Minister Christopher Luxon.
The visits are set to see discussions on reviewing the entire gamut of the bilateral partnership, interaction with the Indian diaspora and key business and sports personalities.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Finally, an Indian PM visiting New Zealand after decades! The trade agreement last year was a good start, but we need to build on it. More student exchanges, more tourism, more investments. And yes, maritime security is crucial for our trade routes. Let's hope this visit leads to concrete outcomes, not just photo ops. 🙂
The Indian diaspora in Australia has become a real bridge between the two countries. From doctors to IT professionals to students, we are contributing significantly. It's good to see the government recognizing this and leveraging it for stronger bilateral ties. Act East indeed!
As someone who has worked in the Pacific region, I can say that India's growing engagement is welcome. The US has been inconsistent under different administrations, so countries like Australia and New Zealand are looking for reliable partners. India's strategic autonomy and non-confrontational approach could be a stabilizing factor. But let's see if these visits translate into a permanent naval presence or joint exercises. That would really make a difference.
Maritime security is fine, but I hope we also talk about climate change and renewable energy cooperation. New Zealand and Australia have expertise in green hydrogen and sustainable agriculture. That would benefit India's farmers and our energy transition goals. Let's not keep the agenda only about China. 😊
I appreciate the diplomatic push, but we need to be realistic. Australia and New Zealand are part of Five Eyes and have deep security ties with the US. They won't replace that with India overnight. Still, building trust and economic interdependence is a long game. This visit is a positive step, but let's not oversell it as a 'game-changer
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.