Indonesia "important" partner of Delhi: Modi

India and Indonesia decided to boost cooperation in defence, maritime safety, counter-terrorism, trade, and health, among other sectors. There were also discussions on digital technology, food security, critical minerals, energy, space, cybersecurity, de-radicalisation, science and technology, fintech, artificial intelligence (AI), connectivity, tourism, and culture. Both nations also inked five pacts, including in the fields of health, traditional medicine, maritime safety, digital technology, and culture.

In a veiled message to China, Mr Modi mentioned that both India and Indonesia are committed to peace, stability, a rules-based order, and freedom of navigation in the Indo-Pacific region. Mr Modi announced that the two nations would collaborate in defence manufacturing and supply chains while President Subianto, former general and former defence minister of Indonesia, announced that a high-level defence delegation would soon visit India and noted that the defence cooperation agreement with India had been recently ratified. New Delhi later said joint military exercises, training of troops, and repair and maintenance of common defence platforms were also discussed and that Indonesia could get its defence spare parts in such common defence platforms serviced in India.

While Mr Modi said that discussions had included the diversification of market access and the trade basket in bilateral trade, the Indonesian President emphasised that both nations need to "accelerate" their trade cooperation and also invited Indian companies to invest in infrastructure development in his country (including in the Sabang civilian port there). Mr Subianto also stated that his country has studied several of India's social welfare programmes and is implementing them. At a special briefing later, MEA secretary (east) Jaideep Mazumdar said that Indonesia under President Subianto is replicating the system of mid-day meal schemes in India and had already earlier sent two teams to study it. He said President Subianto has been interested in India's social welfare programmes. He added that in the health sector, Indonesia wants to send its doctors, students and technicians to train in Indian hospitals and also wants Indian hospital chains to establish hospitals in his country. There was also interest in India's "Jan Aushadhi Kendras" (generic drug stores). Mr Mazumdar also said that Indonesia is keen that Indian higher education establishments open their campuses in Indonesia.

On trade, the MEA's secretary said that of the $30 billion of bilateral trade annually, Indonesian exports amount to a whopping $24 billion while India only accounts for the remaining $6 billion. India is therefore keen that Indian pharmaceutical and automobile sector exports increase to Indonesia, apart from exports in other sectors as well. After a meeting of the third CEO forum between the two nations, a report was also presented to external affairs minister S. Jaishankar and his Indonesian counterpart. Mr Mazumdar also said that President Subianto is being accompanied by a business delegation numbering about 100 businessmen. On connectivity, he said that direct flights are being increased between the two nations, including a forthcoming direct flight between Delhi and Jakarta. He also said people-to-people exchanges and tourism sector cooperation were increasing, with a whopping seven lakh Indian tourists having visited Indonesia last year.

Meanwhile, Mr Modi also mentioned that maritime safety and security cooperation between both nations would also aid in crime prevention and also bolster search and rescue efforts and capacity building. He also stated that joint exercises would also be carried out between the disaster management authorities of both nations. He recalled that bilateral ties had been elevated to the level of a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) during his visit to Indonesia in 2018. He pointed out that in India's Act East Policy, emphasis had been placed on (Southeast Asian grouping) Asean centrality and unity. He said that after the Buddhist Borobudur Temple in Indonesia, India would now also aid in the conservation of the Hindu Prambanan Temple in the Southeast Asian nation and added that the two nations were bound by common cultural traditions such as the two ancient epics Ramayana and Mahabharata. Dwelling on people-to-people exchanges, Mr Modi also pointed out that the current year is being observed as the India-Asean year of tourism. Mr Modi also said that both nations would continue to work together to promote the interests of the Global South (developing nations) in various forums such as the G-20 and Brics, even as he welcomed Indonesia's recent membership in the Brics grouping. Recalling the fact that during the first Republic Day celebrations in 1950, Indonesia (represented then by President Sukarno) was the chief guest nation, Mr Modi said it was a matter of pride that as India celebrates 75 years of being a republic, Indonesia will once again be part of the Republic Day celebrations this year. He said everyone would be eager to see the Indonesian marching contingents at India's Republic Day parade on Sunday, where President Subianto would be the chief guest.

In his remarks, Mr Subianto also said this would be the first time that Indonesian troops are taking part in a parade outside Indonesia. He recalled how India had strongly supported the Indonesian independence movement and had given it financial and medical aid at that time. He said he considered the bilateral partnership as “very important” and thanked India for supporting the Indonesian membership of the Brics grouping. He also said he looked forward to Mr Modi receiving a similar honour and welcome in Indonesia.