14 Agreements Signed to Strengthen Strategic Partnership
India and Indonesia on Tuesday significantly deepened their comprehensive strategic partnership by signing 14 agreements spanning defence, maritime security, critical minerals, technology, healthcare, and democratic cooperation. The two nations also charted an ambitious roadmap to expand strategic collaboration across the Indo-Pacific region.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto held wide-ranging talks in Jakarta, during which the two sides agreed to institutionalise regular summit meetings, strengthen ministerial dialogue mechanisms, and deepen parliamentary exchanges. This signals a more structured and long-term strategic partnership between the two democracies.
Defence and Maritime Security Cooperation
Defence emerged as a key pillar of the summit, with both countries agreeing to regular military exchanges, joint exercises and research, defence industrial collaboration, co-production of defence technologies, technology transfer, shipbuilding, and maintenance and repair facilities. The two leaders agreed to enhance cooperation on the BrahMos missile system and signed an air-to-air missile cooperation agreement. They also welcomed the deployment of an Indonesian liaison officer at the Information Fusion Centre–Indian Ocean Region in Gurugram.
Indonesia welcomed India's interest in partnering in the integrated development of Sabang Port, which overlooks the Strait of Malacca. This project is expected to strengthen connectivity between the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Indonesia's Sumatra while promoting maritime industries, cruise tourism, shipbuilding, and offshore energy support services.
Critical Minerals and Supply Chain Resilience
A major focus of the summit was securing resilient supply chains for strategic industries. India and Indonesia signed agreements on cooperation in critical minerals and steel supply chains. Companies from both countries entered partnerships in stainless steel manufacturing and rare-earth magnets, ensuring a stable supply of key materials for high-tech and defence industries.
Following delegation-level talks, the two leaders witnessed the exchange of agreements covering defence, telecommunications, space cooperation, agriculture, disaster management, healthcare, critical minerals, elections, and steel supply chains. They also announced initiatives including the establishment of an overseas campus of IIM-Bangalore in Indonesia, the launch of Indonesia Open Network based on India's Open Network for Digital Commerce, and India's support for the conservation and restoration of the historic Prambanan Temple.
Digital and Space Technology Collaboration
The leaders agreed to step up collaboration in artificial intelligence, telecommunications, digital public infrastructure, and space technology, alongside greater engagement between the startup ecosystems of the two countries. India's unified payments interface (UPI) will be linked with Indonesia's QR payment ecosystem to facilitate seamless transactions for businesses, tourists, and students.
Healthcare cooperation received a major push through agreements on medical product regulation and health workforce collaboration. India will also support Indonesia's food security by supplying 100 tonnes of high-quality wheat seeds and expanding cooperation in agriculture and agri-technology.
Democratic Cooperation and People-to-People Ties
To strengthen democratic cooperation, the Election Commission of India signed a memorandum of understanding with Indonesia's General Elections Commission to collaborate on election management and the use of technology in electoral processes. This includes sharing best practices on electronic voting machines (EVMs) and other election technologies.
On the cultural front, the two countries announced that 2026-27 would be observed as the Tagore-Dewantara Year of India-Indonesia Cultural and Educational Diplomacy to commemorate the centenary of Rabindranath Tagore's visit to Indonesia. PM Modi and President Prabowo also inaugurated the restoration and conservation project at the Prambanan Temple complex.
Regional and Global Cooperation
Addressing a joint press conference, Modi said the comprehensive strategic partnership, launched in 2018, had acquired renewed energy, greater confidence, and deeper strategic depth. He expressed confidence that the visit marked the beginning of a golden new chapter in bilateral ties.
On regional and global issues, the two sides reaffirmed their commitment to a free, open, inclusive, and rules-based Indo-Pacific. They backed reforms of the UN Security Council and global financial architecture, and pledged closer coordination in multilateral forums including BRICS, the G20, and the Indian Ocean Rim Association. Indonesia also reiterated its support for India's BRICS chairship in 2026.
