Guard of honor was given in Jakarta on the second day of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Indonesia. The BrahMos missile deal, defense cooperation, trade, maritime security and strengthening bilateral ties are likely to be discussed in the meeting with President Prabowo Subianto.
Jakarta: Prime Minister Narendra Modi was formally welcomed with a guard of honor in Jakarta on the second day of his visit to Indonesia. Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto welcomed him and bilateral talks were held between the two leaders. Many important issues like defence, maritime security, trade, investment and strategic cooperation are expected to be discussed in this meeting. Most of the attention is on the possible BrahMos supersonic cruise missile deal between India and Indonesia, the estimated price of which is said to be around Rs 2,500 crore.
This is Prime Minister Modi’s third visit to Indonesia and the 102nd foreign tour of his tenure. This visit is being considered important in terms of India’s ‘Act East’ policy and increasing strategic cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region.
Formal welcome with guard of honor in Jakarta
After Prime Minister Narendra Modi reached Jakarta, he was given a grand welcome from Indonesia. As soon as his plane entered Indonesian airspace, it was escorted by fighter planes of the Indian Air Force. After this, he was given a guard of honor at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
President Prabowo Subianto himself welcomed Prime Minister Modi. The two leaders held a formal meeting ahead of the delegation-level talks and expressed their commitment to take bilateral relations to new heights.
World’s eyes on BrahMos missile deal
The most important agenda of this visit is considered to be the agreement between India and Indonesia on the possible BrahMos supersonic cruise missile system. If this deal is finalized, Indonesia will become the second foreign country after Philippines to buy BrahMos from India.
The BrahMos missile is developed by BrahMos Aerospace, a joint venture of India’s Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) and Russia’s NPO Mashinostroyenia. It is included among the world’s fastest operational supersonic cruise missiles. Its deployment plays an important role in strengthening maritime and coastal security.
Experts believe that this possible agreement will boost India’s defense exports as well as strengthen the strategic partnership of the two countries in the Indo-Pacific region.
Maritime security and Indo-Pacific cooperation will be the center of discussion
India and Indonesia share important sea routes between the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean. In such a situation, there is a possibility of extensive discussion between the two countries on maritime security, freedom of navigation, disaster management and regional stability.
Indonesia’s Sabang Port is located very close to India’s Andaman and Nicobar Islands. In the year 2018, both the countries had agreed to develop this port and increase maritime connectivity. This project is considered very important from strategic point of view in the Indian Ocean region.
Emphasis will also be on increasing trade and investment
Prime Minister Modi will also hold a roundtable meeting with leading industrialists and business representatives of Indonesia during his visit. During this, there will be discussions on increasing cooperation between the two countries in investment, digital economy, energy, green technology, manufacturing and infrastructure.
India and Indonesia both are fast growing economies and both countries are working towards taking mutual trade to new heights. Experts believe that this visit can also give new impetus to economic partnership.
Will visit Prambanan Temple
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will also visit the famous Prambanan temple of Indonesia. Built in the ninth century, this temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, Vishnu and Brahma and is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
This temple is not only a symbol of the cultural heritage of Indonesia but is also considered an important symbol of the thousands of years old cultural relations between India and Indonesia.
Will address the Indian community
During his stay in Jakarta, Prime Minister Modi will also meet the Indian community. He will address the people of Indian origin in a special program organized there and will give the message of strengthening cultural and social relations between the people of the two countries. After this, Prime Minister Modi will leave for New Zealand as part of his next foreign tour.
2,000 year old cultural ties between India and Indonesia
Relations between India and Indonesia are not just diplomatic or economic but are based on cultural and civilizational relations dating back thousands of years. In ancient times, Indian traders, Buddhist monks and Hindu religious leaders reached Indonesia through sea routes. Through them there was a widespread influence of Indian culture, language, religion and art.
Even today, dance-dramas based on the Ramayana and Mahabharata are regularly performed in areas of Indonesia such as Bali and Java. The name of the national airline of Indonesia is ‘Garuda’, which is inspired by Hindu mythology. In the past, the picture of Lord Ganesha has also been published on the 20 thousand rupiah note of Indonesia. Interestingly, India never ruled Indonesia, yet Indian civilization left a deep mark there through cultural exchange and trade contacts.
Important visit for India’s ‘Act East’ policy
According to analysts, this visit of Prime Minister Modi is an important step towards further strengthening India’s ‘Act East’ policy. This visit can prove to be important in giving a new direction to India’s growing strategic role, defense cooperation, maritime security and economic partnership in South-East Asia.
If the BrahMos deal gets finalized, it will be another major achievement in the history of India’s defense exports and will further strengthen India’s strategic presence in the Indo-Pacific region.
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