Wednesday, 16 September 2026
JAKARTA | INDATANEWS.COM - Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi reaffirmed the shared commitment of both countries to deepen the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between India and Indonesia across various strategic sectors. Strengthening bilateral relations became the key outcome of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's state visit to Indonesia from July 6 to 8, 2026, at the invitation of President Prabowo Subianto.
The visit marked an important milestone in the relations between the two countries, following President Prabowo's state visit to India from January 23 to 26, 2025, where he attended the 76th Republic Day celebrations of India as the chief guest.During his stay in Indonesia, Prime Minister Modi participated in a series of official state programs, beginning with a ceremonial welcome at the Merdeka Palace in Jakarta. This was followed by bilateral discussions between President Prabowo and Prime Minister Modi on July 7, 2026, conducted through a confidential tête-à-tête meeting as well as delegation-level talks.
President Prabowo also hosted a state banquet in honor of the Indian Prime Minister. On the same day, Prime Minister Modi delivered an address before the Indonesian Parliament at the invitation of the Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Republic of Indonesia, Dr. Puan Maharani.The two leaders later inaugurated the commencement of restoration and conservation works at the Prambanan Temple Complex in Yogyakarta, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. President Prabowo and Prime Minister Modi also attended a joint reception with the Indian community in Indonesia.
The two leaders also witnessed the exchange of several bilateral documents aimed at further strengthening the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between India and Indonesia.
President Prabowo and Prime Minister Modi reaffirmed their commitment to intensifying strategic cooperation through regular high-level meetings, strengthening institutional dialogue mechanisms, and expanding exchanges among parliaments, academics, and policymakers.In the field of defense and maritime security, both leaders recognized the roles of India and Indonesia as maritime neighbors and strategic partners. Both sides agreed to enhance defense cooperation through defense dialogues, joint exercises, improved maritime domain awareness, hydrographic cooperation, defense technology collaboration, defense industry partnerships, information sharing, capacity building, and maritime security measures.
The two countries also welcomed progress in cooperation related to the BrahMos missile system, along with other strategic initiatives aimed at improving regional defense and security capabilities.Amid growing global security challenges, President Prabowo and Prime Minister Modi strongly condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. Both countries pledged to strengthen cooperation in counterterrorism efforts, preventing violent extremism, combating terrorist financing, addressing transnational organized crime, enhancing cybersecurity, and responding to challenges arising from emerging technologies.
Economic cooperation remains one of the main pillars of India-Indonesia relations. Both leaders expressed their determination to expand trade and investment, strengthen cooperation in critical minerals and rare earth elements, develop resilient supply chains, improve financial connectivity, and advance industrial, financial, and digital cooperation.
President Prabowo and Prime Minister Modi also enhanced cooperation in healthcare, pharmaceuticals, food security, agriculture, fisheries, fertilizers, renewable energy, and energy security through new initiatives, regulatory cooperation, knowledge exchange, and capacity-building programs.Special attention was given to improving maritime and air connectivity between the two countries. President Prabowo and Prime Minister Modi supported the expansion of flight routes and the development of direct port-to-port connectivity.
Both sides also looked forward to the implementation of the third meeting of the Joint Working Group on Andaman-Aceh Connectivity, scheduled for the second half of 2026.President Prabowo welcomed India's interest in partnering for the integrated development of Sabang Port. The cooperation includes the development of cruise and marine tourism facilities, maritime industries such as ship repair and shipbuilding, as well as supporting services for offshore energy activities in the Andaman Sea.
Both leaders viewed this cooperation as a significant step toward strengthening institutional, physical, and digital connectivity between India's Andaman and Nicobar Islands and regions on the island of Sumatra. The partnership is also expected to encourage investment, create employment opportunities, accelerate technology transfer, and increase shared prosperity in the region.
In the digital sector, both leaders welcomed the launch of the Indonesia Open Network (ION), which adopts the architecture of India's Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC). The initiative aims to increase the participation of Indonesian micro, small, and medium enterprises in the digital economy through digital networks.
India and Indonesia also welcomed progress in implementing the cross-border QR payment linkage between the Reserve Bank of India and Bank Indonesia. The cooperation is expected to strengthen bilateral payment systems, improve transaction efficiency, enhance financial resilience, and benefit small and medium enterprises, tourism sectors, and students.Furthermore, both countries welcomed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in technology and telecommunications services as an important step toward strengthening digital connectivity and supporting inclusive economic transformation.
President Prabowo and Prime Minister Modi also reaffirmed their shared commitment to protecting biodiversity, strengthening disaster resilience, advancing science and technology cooperation, expanding space collaboration, and promoting the peaceful use of nuclear energy.In the cultural sector, both leaders welcomed the inauguration of the Prambanan Temple Complex restoration and conservation project, supported by India as part of UNESCO World Heritage cooperation. Both countries also declared 2026–2027 as the "Tagore–Dewantara Year for Cultural Diplomacy and Educational Cooperation between India and Indonesia."
Cooperation in tourism, education, higher education, science and technology, as well as exchanges between communities, remains part of the shared commitment to deepen the historical and cultural ties between the two nations.On regional and multilateral issues, President Prabowo and Prime Minister Modi reaffirmed their support for a free, open, inclusive, peaceful, and rules-based Indo-Pacific region. Both sides also supported ASEAN's central role, reforms of international institutions, strengthening South-South cooperation, and coordination within the United Nations (UN), BRICS, G20, IORA, and other multilateral platforms.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his appreciation to President Prabowo Subianto for the warm welcome and hospitality extended during his visit."Prime Minister Modi also conveyed a cordial invitation to President Prabowo to visit India at a mutually agreed time."
The state visit represents a strategic step for India and Indonesia in expanding bilateral cooperation while strengthening the role of both countries in promoting regional stability and progress. (IDNC)REPORTER: Darmailawati | EDITOR: Fik Sagala
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