India Indonesia Relations: Strategic Partnership Explained

Why in News?

Prime Minister Narendra Modi concluded a State Visit to Indonesia, strengthening the India–Indonesia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, received Bintang Adipurna (Indonesia’s highest civilian honour), becoming the second Indian Prime Minister after Jawaharlal Nehru to receive it, and both countries signed agreements in defence, maritime security, critical minerals, telecom, health, education and cultural cooperation.

Historical Background of India–Indonesia Relations

• India and Indonesia share ancient civilisational and maritime links through trade, culture and religion.
• Indian influences such as Hinduism, Buddhism, Ramayana traditions and temple architecture became part of Indonesia’s cultural heritage.
• These old cultural links later developed into political solidarity during the anti-colonial period.
• Both India and Indonesia fought against European colonial powers and became strong voices of Asian-African unity.
• This shared post-colonial outlook was later reflected in the Bandung Conference, 1955 and the Non-Aligned Movement.

How Indonesia Attained Independence

• Indonesia was earlier under Dutch colonial rule and was known as the Dutch East Indies.
• During World War II, Japan defeated the Dutch and occupied Indonesia in 1942.
• Indonesian nationalist leaders such as Soekarno and Mohammad Hatta used this period to strengthen the freedom movement.
• On 9 March 1943, the Japanese helped set up POETARA, an organisation through which Indonesian nationalists expanded political mobilisation.
• After Japan surrendered on 14 August 1945, Indonesian leaders saw an opportunity to declare freedom.
• On 17 August 1945, Soekarno, Mohammad Hatta and Sutan Sjahrir declared Indonesia’s independence.
• However, the Dutch tried to return after the war, making Indonesia’s independence fragile in the initial years.

India’s Role in Indonesia’s Freedom Struggle

• India supported Indonesia’s independence and raised its cause at international platforms, including the United Nations.
• Biju Patnaik, then a civilian aviator, played a notable role by flying Indonesian leader Sutan Sjahrir to New Delhi in 1947.
• This helped Indonesia’s leaders gain diplomatic support for their freedom struggle.
• At the same time, the British used Indian and Gurkha soldiers under British command to suppress Indonesian nationalists.
• The 23rd Indian Division reached Batavia on 29 September 1945, and more Indian and Nepali soldiers reached Soerabaya on 25 October 1945.
• The Battle of Soerabaya became a tragic episode where Indian soldiers under British command were placed against Indonesian nationalists.
• Indian nationalist leaders, including Jawaharlal Nehru, opposed the use of Indian troops for re-colonising Indonesia and demanded their withdrawal.
• Thus, India’s public and political leadership stood firmly with Indonesia’s freedom struggle, strengthening the foundation of modern India–Indonesia relations.

Key Outcomes of the State Visit

The visit resulted in a series of agreements across defence, security, technology, health, education, culture and critical minerals.

Major outcomes included:

• Supply of BrahMos supersonic cruise missile systems to Indonesia.
• Export order for India’s Astra air-to-air missile system.
• Agreements on defence technology transfer and industrial cooperation.
• Cooperation in critical mineral extraction.
• Maritime security cooperation.
• Digital telecom cooperation, including wireless and quantum technologies.
• Supply of medicines and medical products to Indonesia.
• Establishment of an IIM Bangalore campus in Indonesia.
• Conservation and restoration of the Prambanan Temple Complex in Yogyakarta.

The visit also reflected the growing trust between the two countries in the fields of development, security, technology, culture and education.

Defence and Maritime Partnership

Defence and maritime security were among the most important areas of cooperation during the visit.

BrahMos and Astra Missile Cooperation

Indonesia signed agreements related to the procurement of:

• BrahMos supersonic cruise missile system
• Astra air-to-air missile system

This is significant for India because it strengthens:

• India’s defence exports.
• The Make in India initiative.
• India’s image as a reliable defence technology partner.
• Defence cooperation with ASEAN countries.

Maritime Security Cooperation

India and Indonesia are maritime neighbours and key players in the Indo-Pacific.

Both countries had adopted the Shared Vision of India–Indonesia Maritime Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific in 2018.

During the visit, cooperation was strengthened through:

• Enhanced maritime security dialogue.
• Defence exchanges.
• Disaster management cooperation.
• Industrial cooperation.
• Maritime domain awareness.

Indonesia will also station a Liaison Officer at the Information Fusion Centre – Indian Ocean Region in India. This will improve real-time information sharing and maritime surveillance.

India will earmark training slots for Indonesian cadets and officers in:

• National Defence Academy
• Defence Services Staff College

This will strengthen defence capacity building between the two countries.

Critical Minerals, Technology and Health Cooperation

Critical Minerals

Indonesia is an important player in the global critical minerals sector.

It has around 21% of the world’s nickel reserves and is among the top global producers of:

• Nickel
• Copper
• Bauxite
• Tin

These minerals are important for:

• Electric vehicles
• Batteries
• Advanced electronics
• Defence manufacturing
• Clean-energy technologies

Cooperation with Indonesia can help India diversify critical mineral supply chains and reduce strategic vulnerabilities.

Technology and Telecom

India and Indonesia agreed to cooperate in advanced telecom technologies, including:

• Wireless technologies
• Quantum-related technologies
• Digital connectivity

This reflects the growing role of technology in bilateral relations.

Health Cooperation

The agreements also included:

• Supply of medicines and medical products to Indonesia.
• Cooperation in health-related areas.
• Strengthening of regulatory and institutional linkages.

This adds a welfare and development dimension to the partnership.

Cultural and Educational Diplomacy

India and Indonesia also focused on cultural and educational cooperation.

IIM Bangalore Campus in Indonesia

A pact was signed to open an Indian Institute of Management Bangalore campus in Indonesia. This is important for India’s educational outreach and knowledge diplomacy.

It can support:

• Management education
• Skill development
• Academic cooperation
• People-to-people relations
• India’s soft power in Southeast Asia

Prambanan Temple Restoration

• India will support efforts for the conservation and restoration of the Prambanan Temple Complex in Yogyakarta.
• Prambanan is Indonesia’s largest Hindu temple complex and represents the deep civilisational connection between India and Indonesia.
• The Prime Minister also stated that visiting Prambanan with President Prabowo Subianto would strengthen cultural linkages between the two nations.

Strategic Significance for India

The India–Indonesia partnership is strategically important for several reasons.

1. Act East Policy

Indonesia is a key partner in India’s Act East Policy and engagement with ASEAN.

2. Indo-Pacific Security

Indonesia’s location makes it central to the Indo-Pacific. Stronger maritime cooperation supports a free, open and secure maritime order.

3. Strait of Malacca

Indonesia is located near the Strait of Malacca, one of the world’s most important maritime chokepoints. Cooperation with Indonesia helps India strengthen maritime awareness and regional security.

4. Defence Exports

BrahMos and Astra agreements strengthen India’s defence export profile and support indigenous defence manufacturing.

5. Critical Mineral Security

Indonesia’s mineral resources are important for India’s energy transition, EV manufacturing, battery ecosystem and advanced industries.

6. ASEAN Engagement

Indonesia is one of the most influential countries in ASEAN. Stronger ties with Jakarta improve India’s broader engagement with Southeast Asia.

Conclusion

India–Indonesia relations are rooted in civilisational contact, anti-colonial solidarity and shared commitment to post-colonial cooperation. The recent State Visit has pushed the partnership into a wider strategic phase covering defence, maritime security, critical minerals, technology, education and culture.For India, Indonesia is not only an ASEAN partner but also a crucial maritime neighbour in the Indo-Pacific. A stronger India–Indonesia partnership can support regional stability, secure supply chains, defence cooperation and cultural diplomacy. It also strengthens India’s vision of a peaceful, multipolar and rules-based Indo-Pacific.