India Strengthens Indo‑Pacific Role Through Strategic Visits to Seychelles, Indonesia, Australia and New Zealand

Sabit Patra, the BJP’s national spokesperson, used a Sunday briefing to showcase how Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s foreign agenda is reshaping India’s influence across the Indo‑Pacific. The Prime Minister’s trips to the Seychelles, Indonesia, Australia, New Zealand and a state visit from Japanese leaders have, according to Patra, delivered strategic, defence and commercial benefits. He mentioned that the Maldives‑adjacent Sabang Port in Indonesia, close to the Malacca Strait – one of the world’s busiest sea lanes – is being positioned as a key Indian logistic node. Patra emphasized that India’s consistent political climate and policy continuity have allowed it to act as a reliable partner despite global economic headwinds. Defence cooperation has moved from dependency on imports to co‑development, exemplified by the Brahmos supersonic cruise‑missile programme with Indonesia and a newly signed Memorandum of Arrangement with New Zealand’s Defence Force that expands naval training and maritime security collaboration. Patra added that energy security, critical mineral access and joint technology ventures are also being pursued, cementing India’s long‑term diplomatic objectives.