PM Modi meets Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, agrees to boost defence and trade ties

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto who is on a three-day visit to India, will be the chief guest at the Republic-Day celebrations at Kartavya Path on Sunday.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, at the Hyderabad House in New Delhi, Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, at the Hyderabad House in New Delhi, Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025. (Photo| PTI)
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NEW DELHI: India and Indonesia agreed to instil a new momentum into their ties, with a particular focus on collaborating in defence manufacturing, maritime security and supply chains as Prime Minister Narendra Modi held extensive discussions with President Prabowo Subianto on Sunday.

Indonesian President on a three-day visit to India will be the chief guest at the Republic Day celebrations on Sunday.

“To strengthen our cooperation in the Defence sector, we have decided to work together in the areas of Defence Manufacturing and Supply Chain,” Prime Minister Modi said.

Modi, describing the visit of the President as the Chief Guest for India’s Republic Day as a "matter of immense pride," said: "We have also highlighted the importance of cooperation in Maritime Security, Cyber Security, Counter-Terrorism, and De-radicalisation. The agreement signed today on Maritime Safety and Security will enhance our collaboration in areas such as Crime Prevention, Search and Rescue, and Capacity Building."

Indonesia, an ASEAN partner and an archipelagic nation comprising more than 17,000 islands located between the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean hold immense strategic significance to India. "We agree that the freedom of navigation should be ensured in line with international law," Modi said amid growing global concerns over China's increasing military muscle-flexing in the Indo-Pacific region.

The relationship between India and Indonesia dates back thousands of years. “Tales inspired from the Ramayana and the Mahabharata, and the ‘Bali Jatra’ are living testaments of the age-old cultural and historical ties between our two great nations,” Modi said. 

Prime Minister announced that after the Buddhist Borobudur Temple, India will now contribute towards the conservation efforts of the 9th century Prambanan Hindu Temple in southern Java. President Prabowo said his government will accelerate its economic partnership with India and prioritise the cooperation over the long term.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, at the Hyderabad House in New Delhi, Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025.
‘India supporting Indonesia defence industrialisation’

Both leaders expressed their commitment to boosting two-way trade worth more than $30 billion in 2024. Modi said the discussions focused on improving market access and diversifying the trade basket. The leaders agreed to deepen cooperation in emerging sectors such as fintech, artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, and digital public infrastructure.

The maritime safety and security agreement finalised on Saturday between India’s Coast Guard and Indonesia’s Bakamla (maritime security agency) will enhance collaboration in areas like crime prevention, search and rescue operations, and capacity building.

The two sides also signed three other memorandums of understanding (MoUs) in key areas: health cooperation, digital development, and traditional medicine and cultural exchanges. One significant MoU between the health ministries aims to address Indonesia's shortage of healthcare professionals, as the country requires approximately 160,000 doctors and nurses. Indonesia is looking to India as a potential source to meet this demand as well as to start higher education institutions.

Jaideep Mazumdar, Secretary (East) of the Ministry of External Affairs, highlighted Indonesia’s important role as a partner in India's Act East Policy and Indo-Pacific vision and termed the visit both "timely" and "important," President Prabowo who had visited India in 2020 as Defence Minister assumed office as President last October. A significant feature of this year’s parade is the participation of a marching contingent and a band from Indonesia at the forefront.

"This is not only the first time an Indonesian contingent will march in our Republic Day parade, but it also marks the first time Indonesia has ever sent a military band and a military contingent to participate in a parade abroad," he said.

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