New momentum to strategic partnership with Indonesia, agreement on many important issues including defence.

• Many important agreements on defence, maritime security, digital payments, space and critical minerals
• UPI, health, education and conservation of Prambanan temple also give new dimension to cultural relations.

Jakarta. Resolving to take their comprehensive strategic partnership to new heights, India and Indonesia on Tuesday agreed to expand the scope of cooperation in several areas including defence, maritime security, trade, investment, digital technology, space, health, education, agriculture, energy and critical minerals. After bilateral talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, both the countries reiterated their commitment towards a free, inclusive and rules-based Indo-Pacific region. On this occasion, President Prabowo honored Prime Minister Modi with Indonesia’s highest civilian honor ‘Bintang Adipurna of the Republic of Indonesia’. The Prime Minister described it as dedicated to the 140 crore Indians and the historical friendship and mutual trust between the two countries.

During the state visit of Prime Minister Modi, he was formally welcomed at Rashtrapati Bhavan ‘Istana Maderka’ and was given a guard of honour. This was the first bilateral meeting of the two leaders after President Prabowo’s visit to India as the chief guest at India’s 76th Republic Day celebrations in January 2025. In limited and delegation level talks, the two countries reviewed all dimensions of the comprehensive strategic partnership including defense and security, maritime cooperation, digital and financial technology, trade and investment, health, pharmaceuticals, energy, space, agriculture, tourism, culture and people-to-people contacts.

In the joint press conference, Prime Minister Modi said that the comprehensive strategic partnership established in the year 2018 is now entering a new phase. The democratic values, shared cultural heritage and mutual trust of both the countries are a strong foundation for future partnership. He said that increasing cooperation will not be limited only to the two countries, but will also give a new direction to the 21st century global order and regional stability.

During the talks, it was agreed to strengthen partnership in defense cooperation, joint military exchanges, defense industry and disaster management. The coast guard forces of both the countries will work together to enhance maritime security in the Indian Ocean region. It was also decided to give new impetus to blue economy, port development and maritime trade.

While expanding economic and technical cooperation, it was agreed to accelerate work towards linking India’s UPI system with Indonesia’s payment system. Also, the launch of Indonesia Open Network (ION) on the lines of India’s Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) was welcomed.

It was also agreed to increase the availability of affordable medicines in India in the health sector, training of doctors and health workers and providing improved wheat seeds in the agriculture sector. It was also decided to establish a campus of Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Bengaluru in Indonesia along with enhancing cooperation in artificial intelligence, telecommunications, digital infrastructure, startups, space research and capacity building.

After the meeting, several MoUs related to defence, critical minerals and rare earths, science and technology, education, electoral cooperation, telecommunications, agriculture, maritime security, space, steel supply chain, disaster management, medical product regulation and health workforce cooperation were exchanged in the presence of both the leaders.

A letter of intent regarding India’s cooperation in the conservation and restoration of the UNESCO World Heritage Prambanan Temple in Yogyakarta was also signed. Prime Minister Modi announced that in the year 2027, on the completion of 100 years of Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore’s visit to Indonesia, both the countries will jointly celebrate ‘Tagore-Devantara Cultural and Educational Diplomacy Year’. President Prabowo also assured full support for the Indian Chairmanship of BRICS in 2026. After the talks, the President hosted a state banquet in Prime Minister Modi’s honour, while the Prime Minister invited him to visit India.