India, Indonesia widen ties with BrahMos deal and critical minerals push

India and Indonesia expanded defence, maritime and economic cooperation after talks in Jakarta. The outcomes, including BrahMos supplies and mineral investments, signal a sharper strategic alignment.

In Short

• Nearly a dozen pacts covered technology, food security, medicines and maritime security
• Indonesia will import Astra missiles after their reported success in Operation Sindoor
• India plans investments in Indonesian steel, nickel and rare earth magnet manufacturing

India and Indonesia on Tuesday announced a broad expansion of ties after talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, with defence cooperation, maritime security and critical mineral supply chains among the main outcomes. Supplying BrahMos missiles to the Indonesian military also emerged as a key outcome of the discussions.

The two sides signed nearly a dozen agreements to strengthen cooperation in areas including critical minerals, technology, food security, medicines and maritime security. Modi, who arrived in Jakarta on Monday in the first leg of his three-nation tour, said the India-Indonesia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership of 2018 was entering a new phase.

"The Comprehensive Strategic Partnership we forged in 2018 is taking a new flight today. We are taking important steps forward in every sector -- development, security, technology, culture, and education," Modi said in his media statement after the talks. "I am confident that a golden chapter of India-Indonesia partnership begins today," he said.

Modi said growing trust between the two countries was strengthening bilateral defence, security and maritime cooperation. He said India and Indonesia had reached an agreement to enhance defence exchanges, disaster management and industrial cooperation. With both sides looking to deepen defence ties, Indonesia has also decided to import India's air-to-air Astra missiles following the weapon's success during Operation Sindoor, it is learnt.

To strengthen critical mineral supply chains, India decided to invest in the manufacturing of steel, nickel and rare earth permanent magnets in Indonesia. The two countries also agreed to jointly develop the strategically located Sabang port, which overlooks the Strait of Malacca and is 100 miles from India's Great Nicobar port project.

Modi also announced a decision to set up a campus of the Indian Institute of Management-Bangalore in Indonesia. "We are delighted that India's UPI is set to integrate with Indonesia's payment system. This will boost both ease of doing business and ease of travel," he said. The two sides also decided to step up cooperation in the blue economy, maritime trade and port development.

The prime minister and the Indonesian president also discussed global challenges, including the situation in West Asia. "In this era of global turmoil, India believes that the role of dialogue and diplomacy has become more important than ever before," Modi said. "On the issue of Palestine, we support the Two-State Solution and long-term peace," he said.

The talks in Jakarta led to a wide set of decisions across defence, trade, technology, education and maritime cooperation, with both sides seeking to give fresh momentum to their 2018 strategic partnership.

With PTI Inputs

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