India, Indonesia agree to deepen ties with new pacts

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi held talks with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto in Jakarta on July 7.

• They reviewed the entire gamut of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

• India agreed to supply BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles to Indonesia, marking a significant expansion of defence ties.

• They welcomed the elevation of defence cooperation, including through cooperation on BrahMos missile system, and air-to-air missile cooperation agreement.

• The two leaders underscored the importance of further strengthening collaboration in critical minerals and rare earths with a focus on building diversified and resilient supply chains essential for the growth of domestic manufacturing industries towards reducing vulnerabilities and strengthening economic security.

• The two sides inked 14 agreements to enhance bilateral cooperation.

Key outcomes of the meeting:

i) Signing of the extension of the framework agreement on cooperation in the exploration and uses of outer space for peaceful purposes between India and Indonesia.

ii) Signing of the MoU between Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation(CDSCO) and BPOM on cooperation in the field of Medical Products Regulation.

iii) Signing of the MoU in cooperation in the field of minerals and technology of steel supply chain. Both sides welcomed the Strategic Joint Venture between Steel Authority of India Ltd (SAIL) and PT Krakatau Steel to explore the establishment of Stainless-Steel Slab Manufacturing Facility in Indonesia.

iv) Conclusion of MoU on cooperation in the field of agriculture and allied sectors.

v) Renewal of MoU on maritime safety and security cooperation and the conclusion of the implementing arrangement between Bakamla RI and Indian Coast Guard.

vi) Signing of MoU on cooperation in disaster management between the National Disaster Management Authorities of both countries aimed at enhancing cooperation through exchange of information, experiences, and best practices, as also capacity building and training for disaster response, recovery, mitigation and preparedness, data application for effective disaster mitigation and disaster resilient infrastructure. 

vii) Conclusion of MoU on cooperation in the field of telecommunications technologies and services which will further strengthen cooperation in telecommunications technologies and digital connectivity to support inclusive economic growth and digital transformation.

viii) Signing of MoU on research, technology and innovation cooperation.

ix) Signing of implementation arrangement on professional health workforce development. The arrangement will strengthen cooperation through facilitation of fellowship programmes and skill enhancement programmes for professionals, hands-on clinical training in specialised medical fields, exchanges of health professionals and experts, sharing of best practices in medicine and health services, and other mutually agreed collaborative activities.

x) Signing of MoU between Election Commission of India and the General Election Commission (KPU) of Indonesia on cooperation in the field of management and technology utilisation in elections.

xi) Signing of MoU between Non-Ferrous Materials Technology Development Centre (NFTDC), Midwest Ltd, and PT Perusahaan Mineral Nasional (PERMINAS).

xii) Both leaders welcomed the inauguration of the India-supported project towards restoration and conservation of the UNESCO World Heritage Prambanan Temple Compounds in Yogyakarta by Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).

xiii) Positioning of an International Liaison Officer (ILO) from Indonesia at Information Fusion Centre-Indian Ocean region (IFC-IOR) Gurugram. 

xiv) Supply of 100 tonnes of high-quality DWR 162 wheat seeds to Indonesia.

xv) Both sides agreed to commemorate 2026-2027 as the ‘Tagore–Dewantara Year of India–Indonesia Cultural and Educational Diplomacy’. The commemoration will mark the centenary of Rabindranath Tagore’s visit to Indonesia in 1927 through a year-long programme of joint cultural, educational, academic, and people-to-people initiatives in both countries.

xvi) Proposed setting up of a campus by Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore at Singhasari SEZ, Indonesia.

xvii) Launch of Indonesia Open Network (ION), based on Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) architecture in India, to increase the participation of Indonesian MSMEs in the digital economy through digital networks.

(The author is a trainer for Civil Services aspirants.)