Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Jakarta, Indonesia, on July 6 for a three-day official visit aimed at reviewing bilateral ties and deepening the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two nations.
Diaspora Voices Expectations for Stronger Cooperation
Members of the Indian diaspora have expressed their expectations for PM Modi's visit, calling for deeper cooperation across mining, energy, infrastructure, and emerging technologies. They highlighted the significant untapped potential in sectors where collaboration remains limited.
Bharat Kumar Jain, CEO and promoter of Urja Group, noted that companies engaged in coal, nickel, and gold mining are highly optimistic about expanding bilateral trade. He pointed out that while trade has been steadily increasing, Indian participation in these sectors remains lower compared to other global players, particularly China.
"The economy of Indonesia is mainly based on resources and commodities. They have a lot of natural resources; nickel is the largest in the world, gold is the fourth biggest, and there is a lot in coal as well," Jain said. He emphasized that Indian companies have significant opportunities to increase their footprint.
Strengthened Mutual Trust and Synergies
Anand Chandak, an employee at PT Universal Support in the coal mining sector, highlighted the strengthening ties between the two nations. He noted that repeated high-level engagements since 2018 have deepened mutual trust and cooperation, making the Indian diaspora feel more connected and comfortable in Indonesia. "It has been a great strength, mutual bond, respect, and strengthening our relationship between both the nations," Chandak added.
Siddharth Taparia, a long-time employee of a major business group involved in natural resources, ports, defence, and the power sector, highlighted that Indonesia is gaining a large market in India. He noted strong enthusiasm on both sides, stating, "Synergies are possible in many places like defence, infrastructure, AI, and manufacturing." He also mentioned that there are many opportunities for memorandums of understanding (MOUs) and that ease of business will be given priority.
Trade Potential and Strategic Partnership
The visit is expected to further boost bilateral trade, which has been growing but still has room for expansion. Indonesia is rich in natural resources, including nickel, gold, and coal, making it a key partner for India's resource needs. The Indian diaspora plays a crucial role in facilitating business ties and advocating for stronger economic cooperation.
The comprehensive strategic partnership between India and Indonesia covers areas such as defence, trade, investment, and cultural exchange. PM Modi's visit aims to review progress and identify new avenues for collaboration, particularly in technology and sustainable development.
