India and Indonesia are strengthening their bilateral ties, expanding cooperation across defence, trade, technology, maritime security and cultural exchanges. The push comes as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto held talks in Merdeka Palace, Jakarta on Tuesday.PM Modi said that the two countries were embarking on a “golden chapter” in their partnership that would have a profound positive impact on the 21st century.The discussions covered defence and security, trade and investment, food security, energy security, critical minerals, and capacity building in sectors including health and education. The visit also saw the announcement of eight agreements and several memorandums of understanding.
Defence, maritime security and trade
Addressing a joint press statement after the talks, PM Modi said that the growing trust between India and Indonesia was strengthening defence, security and maritime cooperation.“The growing trust between our countries is strengthening our defense, security, and maritime cooperation. Today, we agreed to enhance defense exchange, disaster management, and industrial cooperation. Our coast guards will now work together for maritime safety and security in the Indian Ocean. As two close maritime nations, we have also decided to enhance mutual cooperation in the blue economy, port development, and maritime trade.”
Technology, startups and education
India and Indonesia would also share best practices in sustainable farming and agro-technology. Highlighting the role of technology in the 21st century, he said both countries had signed a major agreement to strengthen cooperation among young people in areas such as artificial intelligence, telecommunications and digital public infrastructure. The leaders also agreed to deepen collaboration between startups in the two countries.Announcing a major education initiative, PM Modi said that India would establish a campus of the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Bangalore in Indonesia, saying it would benefit young people across the ASEAN region.The two nations also agreed to expand their longstanding cooperation in the space sector through joint research, technology sharing and capacity building.
Critical minerals, steel and digital payments
PM Modi also said that resilient technology supply chains had become increasingly important and announced a significant agreement to strengthen cooperation in the critical minerals and steel sectors. He added that new partnerships were being forged between companies from both countries in stainless steel and rare-earth magnets.On the financial front, the Prime Minister welcomed the planned integration of India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) with Indonesia’s payment system.“We are delighted that India’s UPI is set to be integrated with Indonesia’s payment system. This will boost both the ease of doing business and the ease of travel,” he said.
Cultural ties and heritage
The leaders also highlighted the cultural dimension of bilateral ties. PM Modi said he would join President Prabowo on Wednesday to launch the conservation project for the Prambanan Temple in Yogyakarta, describing the more than 1,000-year-old monument as a symbol of the shared cultural heritage of India and Indonesia.He also announced that the two countries would jointly commemorate the centenary of Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore’s historic visit to Indonesia by observing it as the “Tagore-Dewantara Year of Cultural and Educational Diplomacy”. PM Modi noted that the educational philosophy of Indonesia’s first Education Minister, Dewantara, had been deeply influenced by Tagore.
PM Modi’s visit to Indonesia
‘PM Narendra Modi had arrived in Jakarta on Monday for a three-day visit, his second to Indonesia as prime minister after his 2018 trip. The visit comes months after Prabowo attended India’s Republic Day celebrations as chief guest.He received by Prabowo at Halim Perdanakusuma Air Force Base after his aircraft was escorted into Indonesian airspace by three fighter jets.India and Indonesia are both members of the G20 and BRICS, and the visit is aimed at further strengthening cooperation between the two countries across strategic sectors.
