India and Indonesia Expand Maritime Security Partnership
India and Indonesia have taken a significant step towards strengthening security cooperation in the Indo-Pacific by agreeing to enhance collaboration between their Coast Guards to improve maritime safety and security in the Indian Ocean. The announcement was made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a joint press statement with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto following bilateral talks in Jakarta.
Highlighting the growing strategic partnership between the two nations, Prime Minister Modi said the agreement reflects the increasing trust between India and Indonesia and reinforces their shared commitment to maintaining peace, stability, and secure sea lanes in one of the world’s most important maritime regions.
The decision comes at a time when maritime security has become an increasingly important issue due to rising geopolitical competition, expanding trade routes, and the need for coordinated disaster response and anti-piracy measures across the Indo-Pacific.
Maritime Cooperation Takes Centre Stage
Prime Minister Modi said India and Indonesia, as close maritime neighbours, have agreed to deepen cooperation across multiple sectors linked to the oceans. Apart from coordination between the Coast Guards, both countries will work more closely on maritime trade, port development, the blue economy, and disaster management.
The enhanced partnership is expected to improve information sharing, joint exercises, search-and-rescue operations, and capacity building between maritime agencies. Officials believe such cooperation will contribute to safer navigation and stronger regional maritime governance.
Both leaders emphasized that maintaining freedom of navigation and ensuring maritime security are essential for economic growth and regional stability.
Defence and Strategic Partnership Grows Stronger
The two countries also agreed to expand defence exchanges and industrial cooperation. India and Indonesia have steadily strengthened defence ties over the past several years, with regular military interactions, naval exercises, and dialogue on regional security.
Prime Minister Modi said the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership established in 2018 has gained fresh momentum and is now entering a new phase marked by greater confidence and deeper strategic engagement.
He described the current phase of bilateral relations as the beginning of “a golden new chapter” that would benefit not only the two nations but also contribute positively to peace and prosperity in the wider Indo-Pacific region.
Focus on Technology, Innovation and Digital Cooperation
Technology emerged as another major pillar of the bilateral discussions. India and Indonesia signed an agreement to promote cooperation in artificial intelligence, telecommunications, and Digital Public Infrastructure.
Recognising the growing role of innovation in economic development, the two countries also agreed to strengthen collaboration between their startup ecosystems, encouraging young entrepreneurs to work together on emerging technologies.
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Prime Minister Modi said the energy and talent of young people in both countries make technology cooperation a natural area for long-term partnership.
IIM Bangalore to Open Overseas Campus in Indonesia
One of the major education-related announcements during the visit was the decision to establish an overseas campus of the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Bangalore in Indonesia.
The proposed campus is expected to provide world-class management education to students from Indonesia and across Southeast Asia, strengthening educational exchanges and academic cooperation between India and ASEAN countries.
The initiative also reflects India’s growing role in international higher education and knowledge partnerships.
Healthcare and Agriculture Receive Major Push
The two leaders also agreed to deepen cooperation in healthcare. A new agreement will facilitate wider access to India’s affordable and high-quality medicines for the people of Indonesia.
India will also support capacity building by training Indonesian doctors and healthcare professionals, further expanding collaboration in the medical sector.
Agriculture featured prominently in the discussions as well. India will supply wheat seeds developed through its agricultural research programmes to support Indonesia’s food security initiatives. Both countries will exchange best practices in sustainable agriculture, modern farming methods, and agri-technology.
Prime Minister Modi said the partnership reflects a shared commitment to improving the quality of life of citizens through practical cooperation.
Strengthening Supply Chains and Industrial Collaboration
The leaders acknowledged the growing importance of resilient global supply chains, particularly in critical technologies and manufacturing.
India and Indonesia signed an agreement to strengthen cooperation in critical minerals and steel supply chains. Companies from both countries are also expected to collaborate more closely in stainless steel production and rare earth magnet manufacturing.
The agreements are aimed at supporting industrial growth while reducing vulnerabilities in global supply networks.
UPI Integration to Improve Business and Travel
Prime Minister Modi announced that India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) will soon be integrated with Indonesia’s payment system.
The move is expected to simplify digital transactions for businesses, tourists, and students travelling between the two countries. Officials believe it will enhance financial connectivity while encouraging greater economic engagement.
The announcement adds to India’s expanding efforts to connect its digital payment ecosystem with partner countries around the world.
Cultural Heritage and Democratic Cooperation
Cultural ties also received significant attention during the visit. Prime Minister Modi said he would join President Prabowo in Yogyakarta to launch a conservation project at the historic Prambanan Temple, a monument that reflects centuries-old civilisational links between India and Indonesia.
The two countries will also commemorate the centenary of Rabindranath Tagore’s visit to Indonesia by observing the “Tagore–Dewantara Year of Cultural and Educational Diplomacy,” recognising the shared intellectual and cultural heritage between the two nations.
In addition, India’s Election Commission and its Indonesian counterpart signed a Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen cooperation on democratic processes and electoral management.
Shared Vision for the Indo-Pacific
Prime Minister Modi reiterated India’s support for ASEAN centrality and said both countries share a common outlook on the Indo-Pacific.
He stressed that dialogue and diplomacy remain the most effective means of resolving global challenges. Reaffirming India’s long-standing position on the Middle East, he said India continues to support a two-state solution for Palestine and lasting peace in the region.
Concluding his remarks, Prime Minister Modi expressed confidence that India and Indonesia are entering a new era of cooperation built on shared history, mutual trust, and common aspirations. He said the strengthened partnership would contribute to Indonesia’s “Emas” vision and India’s goal of becoming a “Viksit Bharat,” while promoting stability and prosperity across the Indo-Pacific region.
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