PrintFriendlyThe participation of Indonesian president Prabowo Subianto as Chief Guest at this year’s Republic Day celebrations had a symbolic significance, as if to revive the past golden period of India-Indonesia relations that had existed in the late 1940s and early1950s, when both countries needed each other – New Delhi needed Jakarta to promote its vision of Asian African solidarity based on the principles of anti-colonialism, anti-racialism and non-alignment; and Jakarta needing New Delhi for its support for its struggle against the Dutch. As part of that closer bond and global camaraderie, late President Sukarno was the Chief Guest at the First Republic Day of India in 1950, and now President Prabowo Subianto participated in the 75th Anniversary, symbolising the place and the role of Indonesia in India’s foreign policy in the broader framework of New Delhi’s policy towards Southeast Asia, later metamorphosed into Look East to Act East Policy and finally Indo-Pacific strategy. This was also his state visit to India, accompanied by a large high level delegation including several ministers, naval Chief as well as senior officials and business delegation discussing various areas of cooperation in an attempt to strengthen the political, defence and security ties between the two countries. India and Indonesia had adopted in 2918 the “Shared Vision of India on Maritime Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific,” affirming themselves as maritime neighbours and strategic partners with the intention to further deepen and broaden the defence cooperation to a robust one. The recent visit further strengthened that bond, reflected in the affirmation carrying the relationship and cooperation in multiple areas and signing of MoUs and agreements to attain those goals.
India views Indonesia, the largest country in Southeast Asia, as a strategic partner that can play an important role in its Act East Policy (AEP) and Indo-Pacific strategy. The two are close geographical neighbours who share a maritime boundary and a mutual stake in each other’s progress, prosperity, stability and territorial integrity. With an archipelagic coastline of 54,716 kms, stretching 5271 kms east to west and 2210 kms north to south dominating key international waterways – the Malacca, Sunda, Lombok and Makassar straits, Indonesia controls all or part of the very major waterway between the Pacific and the Indian Ocean. More than half of all international shipping trade traverses these waterways. Given their locations and capabilities India and Indonesia have a critical role to play as sentinels guarding these vital lifelines in the interest of their own security. As the interests of the two countries converge, they have a stake in shaping the emerging security architecture of Asia so that it is not dominated by any single country. This is even more important at a time when the rise of China and its recent assertiveness in South China Sea through its creeping occupation of territories claimed by some other ASEAN states is creating strategic uncertainty in the region.
As pluralistic democracies and developing societies, we face similar challenges. The key political challenge before both India and Indonesia, though different in specifics, is how to build stable, democratic state structures in the midst of a rising tide of expectations for better life and greater liberty. The success of Indonesia, as a pluralistic and democratic state is essential not only for the peace and prosperity of the Southeast Asian region, but also for the security of India. As the country with the largest Muslim population in the world, Indonesia has a key role to play in demonstrating the virtues of tolerance and mutual respect in a diverse, multi-ethnic polity. Indonesia is not only the most populous country in the region but also has the largest Muslim population in the world. Both India and Indonesia are facing rising threats from Islamic militancy and terrorism arising from the changing nature of Islam. Indonesia has done well in fighting terrorism. Most Indonesians practice a syncretic, moderate form of Islam. Yet a small band of home-grown extremists is waging a bloody jihad. The curbing of terrorism, therefore, has emerged as a basis for cooperation between India and Indonesia. India and Indonesia strongly condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing cooperation in combating this threat through bilateral and multilateral initiatives. They underscored the importance of strengthening global efforts to combat terrorism, including eliminating terror financing and preventing the recruitment of terrorists, without any double standards. Both leaders emphasized the need for all countries to work collectively to deny safe havens and support networks to terrorist groups, in accordance with international obligations and commitments. They called upon all countries to take concerted action against UN-proscribed terrorist organizations and their affiliates. To meet the evolving nature of security challenges, the two leaders agreed to work together in preventing the spread of online radicalization and strengthening mechanisms to counter extremist ideologies. The Joint Working Group Meeting on Counter-Terrorism, that held its 6th meeting in Jakarta on 23 August 2024, is a crucial platform for strengthening bilateral cooperation in this area, the need for renewal of the MoU on Counter-Terrorism Cooperation was desired by both leaders. President Prabowo thanked Prime Minister Modi for offering specialized courses by the National Security Guard (NSG) of India, underscoring the value of capacity-building and knowledge-sharing in counter-terrorism efforts.
Political and Security Cooperation
Prime Minister Modi and President Prabowo held comprehensive discussions covering the full spectrum of bilateral cooperation, including political, defence and security, maritime, economic, health and pharmaceuticals, food and energy security, digital transition, sustainable energy transition, blue economy as well as education and cultural cooperation. They expressed satisfaction with the robust and dynamic bilateral ties, following the elevation of the relationship to Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2018. convening bilateral dialogue mechanisms at the leaders’ level, ministerial level, and senior officials level, including the India–Indonesia Security Dialogue, Consular Dialogue and Policy Planning Dialogue which are the key platforms for advancing mutual understanding and cooperation Out of the entire gamut of relationship, defence cooperation has emerged as the most important one, supported by the statement of Secretary (East), Ministry of External Affairs, India: “ The defence industry cooperation is one of the important areas that was mentioned. Everything from joint exercises to far greater coordination and collaboration to greater talks to greater training exchanges, as well as things like repair and maintenance of common platforms was discussed”. As India and Indonesia are maritime neighbours, both leaders agreed to an early establishment of Bilateral Maritime Dialogue and Cyber Security Dialogue. They already have of a Track 1.5 dialogue mechanism between think tanks of two countries manifested in the convening of the first track 1.5 dialogue at Mumbai in September 2024, involving think tanks and policy makers from both sides for enhancing engagements in identifying new horizons for bilateral ties. Agreement concerning Cooperation in the field of Defence (DCA) was ratified paving the way for further deepening of defence ties. They underscored the importance of regular engagements between Defence Ministers to effectively implement the DCA. In this regard, they agreed to hold the next Defence Ministers’ Dialogue at an early date. Before Subianto’s visit, a number of important visits by leaders of armed forces of both countries took place reflecting the intent to take the relationship to a higher level, which, according to some, is yet to realize its full potential. The strategic and operational interaction between the defence forces of both countries, comprising more than two decades long continuous biannual India–Indonesia Coordinated Patrol, conduct of periodic bilateral Army (Ex Garuda Shakti) and Naval (Ex Samudra Shakti) exercises, and regular participation in each other’s multilateral exercises- Milan, Komodo, Tarang Shakti and Super Garuda Shield, has opened up opportunities for deepening defence and security cooperation, facilitated interoperability of the defence forces of the two countries. Both leaders welcomed the interest to have cadet exchanges between the Naval Academies and the National Defence University/ Academy.
Recognizing the importance of building domestic defence manufacturing capabilities, President Prabowo appreciated India’s advancements and expressed interest in strengthening cooperation in this sector. India agreed to support the ongoing defence modernization programmes of Indonesia through experience and expertise sharing. Both countries affirmed their commitment to deepen collaboration in the defence industry by utilizing the Joint Defence Cooperation Committee (JDCC). More importantly, from New Delhi’s point of view, the two countries have agreed to enhancing cooperation on maritime security, including its engagement with regional mechanisms to ensure the safety and security of sea lanes of communication. Both leaders also acknowledged the significance of collaborative efforts to achieve safe and secure sea lanes in the region. In this regard, they agreed that there needs to be constant communication to discuss enhancement of maritime safety. India and Indonesia already have ongoing discussions on the White Shipping Information Exchange (WSIE) agreement. They agreed to position an International Liaison Officer (ILO) from Indonesia at Information Fusion Centre-Indian Ocean region (IFC-IOR) Gurugram, agreed to continue discussions to identify mutually beneficial areas of cooperation in maritime security. In the maritime domain, New Delhi and Jakarta renewed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Maritime Safety and Security Cooperation between the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) and BAKAMLA (Badan Keamanan Laut Republik Indonesia- Indonesian Maritime Security Agency), which was signed on 6 July 2020, at the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, through telepresence.[7] The MoU enables the two agencies to augment information sharing, facilitating quick and effective responses to maritime crimes such as piracy, smuggling, trafficking and illegal fishing, among others. The two countries agreed to enhance already existing cooperation in hydrography and submarine search and rescue operations during the bilateral naval exercises.
The two countries collaborate closely in the field of space and satellites. Modi and Subianto expressed satisfaction over the bilateral cooperation in the space sector. The former also thanked the latter for Indonesia’s support for India’s Gaganyaan Mission. During Modi’s visit to Indonesia in 2018, the two countries concluded the Inter-Governmental Framework Agreement on Cooperation in the Exploration and Uses of Outer Space for Peaceful Purposes.[8] On 19 March 2024, the two countries signed the Implementation Agreement for the Transfer of Title of Integrated Biak Telemetry, Tracking and Command (TTC) Facilities, and Implementing Arrangement on Operation, Maintenance and Utilisation of Integrated Biak Telemetry, Tracking and Command (TTC) Facilities for Satellites and Launch Vehicles between Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN).[9] India offers its expertise in operating and maintaining Indonesian space infrastructure in Biak. Moreover, India is launching a couple of Indonesian satellites in 2025 with a Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle.[10]
In yet another step towards making a mark as a rising exporter of defence equipment, India has confirmed a ₹3800 crore ($450 million) deal to export Brahmos missiles to Indonesia, BrahMos supersonic missile deal between India and Indonesia is an important milestone in the defence cooperation between the two countries, will bring the two countries closer in the defence domain. Jakarta wants to modernise its obsolete military hardware sooner, given the precarious security situation in the Indo-Pacific, particularly its conflict with China in the Natuna Island. Even while Indonesia is not a party to the conflict over South China, Beijing’s so-called Nine dash line overlaps with Indonesia’s territorial waters in the Natuna Island puts Jakarta into an adversarial position, forcing it increase its defence capabilities to meet any contingency that can arise in the future. Jakarta also feels constrained to explore and develop the resources in the Natuna due to Beijing assertive claims and actions. Already there had clashes between the two countries in the past over Natuna. BrahMos deal can open up a new chapter in the defence relations between the two countries. One reason why Indonesia is keen on the Brahmos is due to what two Indonesia scholars writing in The Diplomat Magazine explains: “Anti-ship missiles have always had their place in Indonesia’s strategic vision, which is to secure its maritime territory amid increasing geo-political tensions. Indonesia’s Brahmos deal does not stop with its military use, its procurement symbolizes Indonesia’s strategic outlook on its supply chain and diplomacy. . .with interoperability enhancement and thoughtful transfer of technology transfer, the Brahmas deal will not only be just a capable anti-ship missile to support the modernization of the Indonesian Navy, but it can also open a new era of cooperation and defence diplomacy between Indonesia and major regional players like India.” In this context, India need not restrict itself to the export of BrahMos, and can offer other indigenous military hardware including missiles systems, such as the Akash medium-range surface-to-air missile or Pralay surface-to-surface short-range ballistic missile (SRBM), according to Indonesia’s requirements, and as and when the demand comes Jakarta.
Similar defence platforms in both countries also presents an opportunity to cooperate in the field of maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO). Recently, Dassault Aviation announced its plans to set up a new MRO facility in India and has already formed a new Indian company, Dassault Aviation Maintenance Repair and Overhaul India (DAMROI), to that effect.[14] Indonesia also has Dassault Rafale multirole combat aircraft in its inventory, which can use the DAMROI facility. Similarly, New Delhi and Jakarta can collaborate over other common defence platforms, such as Scorpene-class attack submarines that Indonesia ordered in 2024[15] and C-130J Super Hercules tactical airlifters, among others. Lockheed Martin, which makes the C-130J Super Hercules, is already in talks with Tata Advanced Systems Ltd (TASL) to establish an MRO facility in India. S[hip-building is another area where bilateral defence relations can flourish, as the top leaders deliberated upon the prospects of shipbuilding. As an archipelagic nation, Indonesia has a huge requirement for ships for its coast guard and navy.[18] India’s experience in building indigenous ships can be of great help to Jakarta in this endeavour.
India is interested in the development of the Sabang deep water port in Indonesia, but for reasons known to the two leaders, there was no mention of it in the joint statement, even though infrastructure and connectivity formed part of it. How important is this port for India and what are the prospects for India-Indonesia defence partnership? Situated in the Aceh province of Indonesia, Sabang Port holds significant strategic importance due to its location and potential impact on regional connectivity. The port’s development would provide India with easier access to the Malacca Straits, a crucial maritime trade route. Sabang Port, approximately 700 kms from Andaman Nichobar Islands, offers a geographically advantaged position for India. By establishing a presence in Sabang, New Delhi can enhance its maritime trade connectivity and can gain better access to the Malacca Straits. This would significantly benefit India’s trade relations with Southeast Asian countries. It would provide India with a strategic foothold, bolster India’s position in the Indian Ocean. A well-functioning port in Sabang would enable India to enhance its surveillance and naval operations in the region. But progress in the development of the port is slow, and discussions have been going on till now. Feasibility study has been submitted to Indonesia but it is under consideration. In 2018, Indonesia’s Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and close confidant of Jokowi, Luhut Panjaitan hinted at the potential military use of the port sparking speculation of its strategic use and implications about India. Beijing might come in the way of the fruition of the project because of its impact on its own strategic calculations
Trade and Investment Relations
Indonesia has risen to become the largest trading partner of India in the ASEAN region after Singapore. It reached a record high of USD 38.8 billion in April 2022–March 2023, but it declined in the subsequent year to US$ 29.4 billion. In 2023-24, Indonesia exported products worth US$ 23.41 billion to India. Both countries have set a target of US$ 50 billion in trade by 2025. Amid possible geopolitical disruptions, an approaching global recession, and shifts in worldwide demand, the trade relationship between India and Indonesia remains strong, though not without difficulties. A steep decline of 24 percent in trade was observed in 2022-2024. Additionally, India’s imports from Indonesia have consistently been greater than its exports to Indonesia, allowing Indonesia to boast of a trade balance in its favour. India’s trade deficit with Indonesia has steadily worsened since 2019, from US$ 10,932 million to US$ 17,421 million. Some obstacles, such as non-tariff barriers, affect 70 percent of Indonesian tariff lines and 45 percent of India’s. Besides, FTA utilisation remains low at around 25 percent, including the maintained significant exclusion lists—11 percent for India and 4 percent for Indonesia.
Despite these challenges, there’s optimism. India has made substantial investments in Indonesia, amounting to approximately US$ 54 billion, primarily through infrastructure, energy, textiles, automotive, and IT sectors. Major Indian companies such as Tata Power and Reliance are actively involved in projects ranging from renewable energy to manufacturing. Though Indonesian investment in India has remained modest at US$647 million, Indonesia is encouraging further Indian investment, particularly in its new capital and key industries like automobiles and pharmaceuticals, aiming to diversify trade and investment opportunities. There is great potential for increased trade in digital technology between India and Indonesia. Both countries have made significant progress in digital transformation—India has excelled in building digital public infrastructure, improving public service delivery, and driving innovation. At the same time, Indonesia has advanced the digitalisation of MSMEs.
As both nations pursue ambitious economic goals—India aiming for third-largest economy status by 2027 and Indonesia targeting fifth by 2045—their trade relations could grow significantly, potentially reaching US$ 50 billion in the near future. During Prabowo’s visit, it was agreed that the 2nd meeting of the Working Group on Trade and Investment (WGTI), as well as the 4th Biennial Trade Ministers’ Forum (BMTF) be convened to resolve outstanding tariff and non-tariff barriers to trade, as well as expeditious conclusion of the ongoing review of the ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement (AITIGA) by 2025. The two leaders also agreed that the first meeting of the Joint Economic and Financial Dialogue should be convened early to further deepen economic engagement. Both leaders welcomed the signing of an MoU on Local Currency Settlement Systems (LCSS) between the Reserve Bank of India and Bank Indonesia in March 2024 and emphasized the importance of its expeditious implementation. It is hoped that the usage of local currency for bilateral transactions would further promote trade between India and Indonesia and deepen financial integration between the two economies.
Infrastructure & Connectivity
The leaders recognized the vital role of connectivity in enhancing trade, tourism, and people-to-people exchanges between Indonesia and India. In this regard, they welcomed the restoration of direct flights between the two countries, seeing it as a significant step toward further strengthening bilateral ties and fostering closer engagement. The two leaders also recognised the growth in travel demand between the two countries and welcomed the signing of the MoU to expand the bilateral Air Services Agreement.
Recalling their last discussion on intensifying infrastructure development between the two maritime neighbours, the two leaders called for enhanced connectivity and welcomed India’s Development Partnership with the Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth Triangle (IMT-GT) as a significant initiative towards this end
Cooperation in health and pharmaceuticals, food security
Cooperation in health and Pharmaceuticals was also identified as an area in line with the signing of the MoU on Health Cooperation and the MoU in the Field of Traditional Medicine Quality Assurance. They noted that the signing of these MoUs would provide further impetus to cooperation in the health sector, and agreed to strengthen cooperation by sharing best practices on Digital Health initiatives and to increase capacity building programmes for training doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals, including training programmes in mutually agreed areas. President Prabowo expressed appreciation for India’s support in Indonesia’s new mid-day meal scheme through the sharing of knowledge and experience, as well as facilitating the visits of Indonesian officials to various relevant Indian institutions. Prime Minister Modi reaffirmed India’s commitment to supporting the initiative and invited more Indonesian officials to benefit from the expertise of the Food Corporation of India in managing the Public Distribution System.
Energy Security
Both India and Indonesia are committed towards achieving renewable energy goals of their respective countries and making laudable efforts on energy transition. Both sides have shown interest in joint exploration and mining related projects, particularly relating to critical minerals such as nickel, bauxite, silica, tin etc. with a focus on the downstream sectors. Both leaders welcomed BPRL’s (Bharat PetroResources Limited) continued interest to partner with Pertamina (Indonesian state-owned oil and natural gas corporation) in the strategic Nunukan Gas Block Project and agreed to support early execution of the project. Both leaders underscored the critical role biofuels can play in the efforts for decarbonisation of transportation and relevant sectors and recognized the importance of international collaboration in strengthening trade, research & development, developing standards and contributing to the global biofuels ecosystem. The Indonesian side positively welcomes India’s invitation to join the Global Biofuels Alliance.
Other Areas of Cooperation
India’s digital revolution is another area that the two countries share with each other. Both leaders affirmed their commitment to accelerate collaboration in the areas such as Digital Public Infrastructure, digital B2B partnership, digital capacity building, cyber security, etc. for inclusive growth and addressing global challenges. They expressed confidence that the MoU on Cooperation in the Fields of Digital Development signed during President Subianto’s visit will enable harnessing the power of emerging technologies. India also offered to share its experience and best practices with Indonesia in High-Performance Computing and quantum communication technologies. India offered to share its experience of successful digital solutions, implemented at population scale with Indonesia to promote its digital transformation. The ongoing discussions for QR-based cross border digital payments between NPCL International Payments Limited (NIPL) and the Indonesian payment switches under the banner of ASPI (Association of Payment Systems of Indonesia), will lead to the success of this initiative and bring the two countries closer to each other. The convening of the inaugural Joint Commission Meeting on S&T and renewal of MoU on Scientific and Technological Cooperation will help both countries to lay the foundation for close cooperation in Science and technology with the objective of undertaking joint research and training projects. Both leaders encouraged the two sides to collaborate in further research and development, particularly in science, technology, engineering, and mechanics (STEMs).
Educational Cooperation
An area where India can help Indonesia and in which it has a comparative advantage is in the field of higher education and human resources. India should also attract bright and meritorious Indonesian students by opening the doors of our premier institutions, like the IITs, IIMs, Delhi School of Economics and universities like JNU by reserving a few seats exclusively for them. The dividend from such a policy will be enormous, as the products of these institutions would eventually emerge as critical elites in decision-making in Indonesian government and corporate life, and India will surely strike a familiar chord for them. Both leaders agreed to enhance educational cooperation between the two countries through greater collaborations between higher educational institutions. They welcomed the ICCR chairs which have been established in Indonesia at the University of North Sumatra, Medan in Political Science; Siyah Kuala University, Banda Aceh in Economics; and a Sanskrit Chair at University Hindu Negeri I Gusti Bagus Sugriwa, Denpasar.
Presently, India offers Indonesian students 20 fully funded ICCR scholarships annually which are oversubscribed. As part of the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) Programme, India has been providing up to 100 slots annually for capacity building training for Indonesian professionals. Since 2007, more than 1000 professionals have been trained in India under the ITEC programme. India noted Indonesia’s utilisation of Doctoral Fellowship in India for ASEAN. Recalling the ancient ties between Indonesia and India, the two leaders welcomed the MoUs signed between Nalanda University and Indonesian Universities, including the bilateral MoU with the University of Jambi and four MoUs under the ASEAN-India Network of Universities (AINU). Both leaders emphasised the importance of fostering stronger educational and academic partnerships between educational institutions of the two countries, recognizing such collaborations as vital to advancing shared knowledge and mutual understanding.
Cultural and Heritage Cooperation
Yet another area in which India’s soft power can be promoted in Southeast Asia in general and Indonesia in particular, is its culture. Indian culture is an inseparable part of Indonesian customs, and our cultures and values are closely related, given 2000 years of civilizational contacts between the two countries. If carefully pursued, our cultural diplomacy can further cement the bond between the two countries based on our pluralist traditions and our mutual need for preserving ‘unity in diversity’- the basic philosophy of our states. Cultural interactions should extend to people-to-people contacts and academic exchanges with collaborative research projects of common interest. Both Modi and Subianto lauded the close historical, cultural, religious and people-to-people ties that exist between the two countries. The latter even claimed to have Indian DNA, and as a proof of that he said as soon he hears an Indian song he dances along with the tune. To cement the cultural bond, the two countries signed Cultural Exchange Programme (2025-2028) which provides opportunities for sharing of knowledge on various aspects of cultural cooperation.
Both leaders also shared their commitment to enhance cooperation in protecting and preserving tangible and intangible cultural properties and heritage, including exploring India’s assistance in the preservation and restoration of the temples at the Prambanan Temple Compounds World Heritage site. They recalled the principles contained in the “Kashi Cultural Pathway” as adopted at the G20 Culture Ministers’ Meeting in Varanasi, August 2023.
Cooperation in the Multilateral Fora
India and Indonesia agreed to continue with the existing close coordination in the multilateral fora including UN and the G20. Both countries emphasised the importance of South-South Cooperation and agreed to work together on issues of importance to the Global South. In line with that objective, India’s initiative in organizing Voice of Global South Summits, which serve as a vital platform for amplifying priorities and concerns of developing nations was appreciated by President Prabowo. Both countries are in favour of reformed multilateral institutions, and agreed to continue their joint diplomatic initiatives to further enhance cooperation in international forums, ensuring their voices continue to contribute effectively to shaping global governance. In their commitment towards maintaining and promoting peace, stability, maritime safety and security, freedom of navigation and overflight in the region, and other lawful uses of the seas, including unimpeded lawful maritime commerce and to promote peaceful resolutions of disputes, in accordance with universally recognised principles of international law, including the 1982 UNCLOS, and the relevant standards and recommended practices by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the International Maritime Organization (IMO). Both supported the full and effective implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of the Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) in its entirety and look forward to the early conclusion of an effective and substantive Code of Conduct in the South China Sea (COC) that is in accordance with international law, including the 1982 UNCLOS. India is currently the Vice Chair of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) and leading the Working Group on Blue Economy with Indonesia. Both countries reaffirmed their commitment to strengthen their cooperation in the Working Group on Blue Economy, where, as co-leads, they are implementing the work plan to drive sustainable socio-economic growth to foster balanced development while safeguarding the marine resources. On Indo-Pacific initiatives also, the two countries emphasized their efforts to synergize the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific and the Indo-Pacific Oceans’ Initiative (IPOI), particularly highlighting Indonesia’s co-leadership in IPOI, alongside France, on the Maritime Resources Pillar. They instructed their officials to expedite the implementation of activities, including taking stock of fishing architecture, promoting sustainable aquaculture and mariculture, addressing Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing, fostering cooperation with regional organisations such as Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Pacific Islands Forum (PIF), as well as advancing initiatives related to mangroves, environmental impact assessments, mapping exercises for marine mineral exploration. The ongoing cooperation under the India-Indonesia-Australia trilateral format to address common challenges, exchange views and explore opportunities for collaboration including in the areas of maritime domain awareness, marine pollution, blue economy and also under the frameworks of East Asia Summit (EAS), Indo-Pacific Oceans’ Initiative (IPOI) and Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), also highlighted in the joint statement.
BRICS
India welcomed Indonesia joining the BRICS as a member country and expressed confidence that it will further strengthen the BRICS solidarity and regional cooperation. Indonesia’s formal entry into the Brics bloc is a calculated gamble in an era of global power shifts. But the move could also complicate the country’s non-aligned foreign policy stance if US president Donald Trump views it as a challenge to America’s interests. Indonesia’s foreign ministry confirmed the news in a statement the following day, hailing the milestone as a reflection of its “active role in global issues” and commitment to creating a “more inclusive and fair” world order. Indonesia’s candidacy was reportedly endorsed by Brics leaders in 2023, but former president Joko Widodo appeared hesitant to join the bloc. He advocated instead for membership in the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, which includes the US, Japan and 36 other nations. But the push came from Prabowo. Joining Brics would enable Indonesia to “expand partnerships globally and make Indonesia not only part of a particular bloc”, he said in an interview with Indonesia’s national broadcaster at the time. Membership of Brics is a “strategic hedge”, according to Dedi Dinarto, lead Indonesia analyst at strategic advisory firm Global Counsel, offering the country “flexibility in case there is a shift away from Western-led economic systems”. “Prabowo appears to be keeping options open with all parties,” he said, noting the move also aligned with the new president’s more active approach to Indonesia’s foreign policy. While many in Western political circles see Brics as a geopolitical vehicle for Beijing and Moscow to expand their influence, analysts say Prabowo’s push to join may reflect his aspiration to position Indonesia – and himself – as a leader of the Global South. But this ambition could come at the cost of undermining Indonesia’s long-standing non-aligned foreign policy stance.
Conclusions
India and Indonesia are not only the two largest countries in their respective regions but also two largest economies, one trying to emerge as the third largest economy and the other fifth largest one, and thus carry lot weight in the comity of nations. If their intent, commitment and their proclamations reflected in their statement can be translated into reality with the political will and diplomatic skill, the two countries can not only contribute to the establish of peace, stability and welfare of larger humanity, but also can contribute to reshaping of a new regional and global order, a role the two civilizational country deserve.
Author
(The views expressed are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect the position of the organisation)