New chapter: India-Indonesia relations strengthened through defence initiatives

India and Indonesia have agreed to enhance their bilateral ties, particularly in defense manufacturing and supply chains, during a meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto.

Importance of Indonesia in ASEAN and Indo-Pacific

The discussions took place as Subianto visited India to participate as the chief guest in the Republic Day celebrations.Modi emphasized Indonesia's significance as an "important partner" in the ASEAN bloc and the Indo-Pacific region, highlighting both countries' commitment to a rules-based order. He reiterated the importance of ensuring freedom of navigation in accordance with international law amid rising concerns over China's military activities in the region.

Cooperation in Emerging Technologies

The leaders engaged in extensive discussions on various aspects of their relationship, agreeing to collaborate on defense manufacturing and supply chains. A maritime security agreement was signed to bolster cooperation in crime prevention, search and rescue operations, and capacity building.Additionally, Modi noted the need to diversify trade and enhance market access to strengthen economic ties. Both nations expressed intentions to cooperate in emerging sectors such as FinTech, artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things (IoT), and digital public infrastructure.

Indonesian Leader's Remarks on Economic Partnership

They also stressed collaboration in maritime security, cybersecurity, counter-terrorism, and de-radicalization efforts.President Subianto described the talks as "very frank" and directed his officials to accelerate economic partnerships with India. The discussions also welcomed Indonesia's membership in BRICS, further solidifying the two countries' commitment to deepening their strategic cooperation across multiple domains.