Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s upcoming visit to Indonesia is being described by experts as a crucial step in India’s effort to strengthen its position in the increasingly contested Indo‑Pacific region. The trip, which marks the first stop of Modi’s three‑nation tour to Indonesia, Australia and New Zealand, comes at a time when the Indo‑Pacific has become the centre of global strategic competition.
Analysts say the region is facing rising maritime tensions in the South China Sea, intensifying geopolitical rivalry, and growing concern over the security of critical supply chains. Against this backdrop, India is using its Act East policy to deepen engagement with Southeast Asia — and Indonesia, the largest nation in the region, is central to that plan.
Fitriani, a senior analyst with the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, said the visit “comes at a time when the Indo‑Pacific is experiencing growing geopolitical competition, increasing concern over maritime security, and renewed attention to supply chain resilience.” She added that Indonesia’s role as a maritime power makes it a natural partner for India’s long‑term strategic goals.
The visit also builds on momentum from Indonesian Defence Minister Prabowo Subianto’s trip to New Delhi last year, when he was the chief guest at India’s Republic Day celebrations. According to experts, Modi choosing Indonesia as the first stop of his Indo‑Pacific tour signals the importance New Delhi places on Jakarta within its broader regional strategy.
Indonesian academic Hadza Min Fadhli Robby said the visit should be viewed in the context of wider geopolitical shifts. Both countries, he noted, share an interest in maintaining a stable, inclusive and rules‑based order in the Indian Ocean region — especially as global powers compete for influence.
Modi’s engagements in Indonesia are expected to focus on maritime security, defence cooperation, critical minerals, and supply‑chain partnerships, all of which are becoming vital pillars of India’s Indo‑Pacific outreach.