More Than Handshakes: India & Indonesia Add Defence to the Friendship Checklist

India and Indonesia have reaffirmed their commitment to expanding their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono holding wide-ranging bilateral talks in New Delhi on Sunday. The discussions covered cooperation across defence, maritime security, trade, digital connectivity, infrastructure, healthcare, energy, and regional affairs, while also reviewing preparations for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's expected visit to Jakarta next month. Focus on Defence and Maritime Cooperation The two ministers co-chaired the 8th India–Indonesia Joint Commission Meeting, where both sides reviewed the progress of bilateral relations and explored new opportunities for collaboration. Following the meeting, Jaishankar described the talks as productive and noted that the India–Indonesia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership has witnessed significant growth in recent years. The discussions placed particular emphasis on strengthening cooperation in: Defence and security Maritime security and shipping Trade and investment Digital connectivity and fintech Infrastructure development Healthcare and pharmaceuticals Energy and critical minerals Education and cultural exchanges Tourism and people-to-people ties Both countries also exchanged views on regional security developments and reaffirmed their commitment to closer coordination in multilateral forums. PM Modi's Expected Visit to Jakarta One of the major highlights of the meeting was the discussion surrounding Prime Minister Narendra Modi's expected visit to Indonesia next month. Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono said the visit would provide an important opportunity to further strengthen bilateral cooperation and accelerate work in emerging sectors. Officials expect the visit to help expand collaboration in areas such as defence manufacturing, semiconductor supply chains, digital technology, maritime infrastructure, and strategic connectivity. Building on Growing Strategic Relations According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the ministers reviewed the entire spectrum of bilateral engagement under the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Beyond defence and security, both sides discussed cooperation in: Space technology Connectivity projects Pharmaceutical manufacturing Fertiliser and agriculture Digital innovation Consular cooperation Cultural exchanges Jaishankar also said the meeting included discussions on regional developments, India–ASEAN engagement, and strengthening coordination on global issues. Historical Partnership Continues to Evolve India and Indonesia share longstanding historical and cultural ties dating back to their struggles against colonial rule. Both countries played prominent roles in promoting Asian and African solidarity during the Bandung Conference of 1955, which later contributed to the establishment of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) in 1961. Today, Indonesia remains one of India's most important strategic partners in Southeast Asia and occupies a central place in New Delhi's Act East Policy, aimed at enhancing economic, strategic, and cultural engagement with the Indo-Pacific region. Looking Ahead The latest Joint Commission Meeting reflects the growing momentum in India–Indonesia relations as both countries seek deeper cooperation across traditional and emerging sectors. With Prime Minister Narendra Modi's anticipated visit to Jakarta expected in the coming weeks, both governments are looking to translate their strategic partnership into concrete outcomes spanning defence, maritime security, digital innovation, infrastructure, and regional cooperation. The visit is likely to further strengthen one of India's most significant partnerships in Southeast Asia and reinforce collaboration on issues shaping the Indo-Pacific region.