Jakarta [Indonesia], July 8 (ANI): India and Indonesia on Tuesday signed several significant agreements, including cooperation on the supply of the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile system and the ASTRA beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile, as the two countries reaffirmed their shared commitment to a free, open, transparent, rules-based, peaceful, prosperous and inclusive Indo-Pacific region.
A joint statement issued after talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto said the two leaders emphasized that economic and trade cooperation remains a key pillar of the dynamic India-Indonesia relationship. They acknowledged the strong economic and developmental synergies between India’s vision of ‘Viksit Bharat 2047’ and Indonesia’s ‘Indonesia Emas 2045’.
Recognizing India and Indonesia as maritime neighbours and strategic partners with robust defence cooperation, and recalling the adoption of the “Shared Vision of India-Indonesia on Maritime Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific” in 2018, both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthen and expand their defence and maritime partnership.
The two leaders agreed to deepen cooperation in both traditional and emerging areas of defence, including regular defence dialogues, joint military exercises, staff talks, joint research and co-production of advanced defence technologies, port calls, peacekeeping activities, information sharing, hydrography, capacity building, cadet training and exchanges, and defence industrial cooperation.
They welcomed the elevation of defence cooperation through collaboration on the BrahMos Missile System and the Air-to-Air Missile Cooperation Agreement.
The leaders also welcomed the deployment of an International Liaison Officer (ILO) from Indonesia at the Information Fusion Centre–Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR) in Gurugram and agreed to continue discussions on expanding cooperation in maritime security.
Both sides identified defence industry and technology as a priority area of cooperation and agreed to expand collaboration in joint production of defence equipment, technology transfer, technical assistance, capacity building, sourcing of defence equipment, shipbuilding, establishment of Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facilities, exploration of defence research and development, and strengthening the defence supply chain ecosystem.
They also welcomed progress in pharmaceutical collaboration between the Armed Forces Medical Establishments of India and Indonesia, particularly in the supply of military medicines.
The two leaders underscored the importance of strengthening cooperation in critical minerals and rare earths, with a focus on building diversified and resilient supply chains essential for domestic manufacturing, reducing vulnerabilities and enhancing economic security.
They welcomed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in the field of Minerals and Technology of the Steel Supply Chain.
The leaders also welcomed the strategic joint venture between Steel Authority of India Ltd. (SAIL) and PT Krakatau Steel to explore the establishment of a stainless-steel slab manufacturing facility in Indonesia.
Both leaders welcomed progress towards operationalising the Local Currency Transaction (LCT) guidelines between the Reserve Bank of India and Bank Indonesia, noting that the initiative would further promote bilateral trade and investment while deepening financial integration between the two economies.
The leaders also agreed to deepen cooperation in food security and nutrition, while respecting each country’s domestic policies.
They welcomed efforts to strengthen cooperation in agriculture and food security through agricultural trade, joint studies, innovation and knowledge sharing to support sustainable and resilient food systems.
Both sides expressed hope for the early conclusion of the MoU on Agriculture and Allied Sectors and the early renewal of the MoU on Marine and Fisheries Cooperation.
The leaders welcomed ongoing collaboration in pharmaceuticals and medical products, including the signing of an MoU between India’s Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) and Indonesia’s Badan Pengawas Obat dan Makanan (BPOM) on cooperation in medical products regulation.
They also agreed to strengthen cooperation in the fertilizer sector and emphasized the importance of ensuring stable, affordable and reliable fertilizer supplies amid evolving global market conditions.
Both leaders stressed the importance of enhancing maritime and air connectivity between the two countries and encouraged greater air links and port-to-port connectivity.
President Prabowo welcomed India’s interest in partnering in the integrated development of Sabang Port.
The two leaders noted that such cooperation—covering cruise and marine tourism facilities, maritime industries including shipbuilding and ship repair, and shore-based services supporting offshore energy activities in the Andaman Sea—would strengthen connectivity between India’s Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Indonesia’s Sumatra region, while generating investment, employment, technology transfer and shared regional prosperity.
Prime Minister Modi and President Prabowo directed their respective authorities to work out the project’s scope, financing and implementation modalities in a time-bound and mutually beneficial manner.
The leaders also welcomed the launch of the Indonesia Open Network (ION), based on India’s Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) architecture, to increase the participation of Indonesian MSMEs in the digital economy.
They further welcomed progress towards implementing the Cross-Border QR Payment Linkage between India and Indonesia, agreed upon by the Reserve Bank of India and Bank Indonesia.
The initiative is expected to improve transaction efficiency, strengthen financial resilience and promote inclusive economic growth, particularly benefiting MSMEs, tourism and students.
Finally, both leaders welcomed the conclusion of the MoU on Cooperation in Telecommunications Technologies and Services, which is expected to further strengthen bilateral cooperation in telecommunications, digital connectivity and digital transformation. (ANI)
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