India has stepped up its strategic engagement across the Indo-Pacific by deepening partnerships with South Korea, Japan, Indonesia, Australia and New Zealand, signalling a broader effort to strengthen regional cooperation, maritime security and resilient supply chains. The latest diplomatic outreach, spanning April to July, reflects New Delhi’s evolving Indo-Pacific strategy built around what analysts describe as a modern interpretation of Kautilya’s Mandala theory.

The diplomatic momentum included high-level bilateral engagements with South Korean President Lee Jae-myung, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, followed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s multi-nation tour of Indonesia, Australia and New Zealand. Together, these visits underline India’s focus on building a network of strategic partnerships with like-minded maritime democracies amid growing geopolitical competition in the Indo-Pacific.

Expanding the Indo-Pacific Vision

India’s approach seeks to reinforce cooperation through initiatives such as the Act East Policy, the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI) and the MAHASAGAR vision. Rather than forming an exclusive military bloc, New Delhi aims to promote a rules-based, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific while expanding its strategic and economic space.

The strategy comes at a time when China’s growing regional influence has complicated India's neighbourhood dynamics, prompting New Delhi to strengthen ties with countries across the wider maritime region.

Indonesia Emerges as a Key Maritime Partner

Indonesia featured prominently during Prime Minister Modi’s recent diplomatic tour. Recognised as a strategic gateway between the Indian and Pacific Oceans, Indonesia controls vital maritime routes through the Malacca, Sunda and Lombok Straits.

During the visit, India and Indonesia signed multiple agreements covering defence, maritime cooperation and trade. Indonesia agreed to acquire BrahMos cruise missiles and became the first international customer for India’s Astra Mk-1 beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile system.

The two countries also expanded cooperation between their maritime agencies, strengthened information-sharing mechanisms and explored collaboration in developing Indonesia’s Sabang Port, located near one of the world's busiest shipping corridors.

Economic cooperation also advanced through agreements on rare-earth supply chains, steel manufacturing partnerships, digital payment connectivity and local currency settlement mechanisms.

Australia and New Zealand Deepen Strategic Cooperation

In Australia, the two countries concluded a Joint Declaration on Defence and Security Cooperation, alongside a Maritime Security Collaboration Roadmap and agreements covering coast guard coordination and civil nuclear cooperation.

The partnership is expected to enhance defence interoperability, maritime surveillance and long-term energy cooperation, including Australian uranium exports to India.

Prime Minister Modi’s visit to New Zealand, the first by an Indian Prime Minister in four decades, resulted in the elevation of bilateral ties to a Strategic Partnership. Both nations adopted a Roadmap to 2030 and agreed to work towards doubling bilateral trade over the coming years.

The discussions also covered logistics, hydrography, maritime mapping and broader regional cooperation across the Indo-Pacific.

Japan and South Korea Reinforce Economic Security

Earlier diplomatic engagements with Japan and South Korea laid the foundation for the broader regional outreach.

India and Japan strengthened cooperation in defence technology, economic security, critical minerals and resilient supply chains. The two countries also agreed on their first defence co-development project involving naval communication systems.

Meanwhile, South Korea and India focused on expanding cooperation in advanced technologies, semiconductors and supply chain resilience, reflecting growing convergence on emerging economic and security priorities.

Strategic Balance in the Indo-Pacific

Analysts believe India’s expanding network of partnerships reflects an effort to create a balanced regional architecture rather than an alliance directed against any single country. By strengthening defence cooperation, promoting resilient supply chains and supporting freedom of navigation, India is seeking to reinforce stability across the Indo-Pacific.

The approach also supports greater diversification of trade, technology partnerships and maritime connectivity while encouraging cooperation among countries that share similar interests in maintaining an open and rules-based regional order.

As geopolitical competition intensifies across the Indo-Pacific, New Delhi’s recent diplomatic engagements indicate a long-term strategy centred on strategic partnerships, economic resilience and maritime cooperation, positioning India as an increasingly influential stakeholder in the region’s evolving security and economic landscape.