Indonesia’s Prabowo and India’s Modi discuss economic, military ties

JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met the Indonesian president Prabowo Subianto On Tuesday, they will discuss ways to strengthen strategic ties between Asia’s two largest democracies as economic globalization faces headwinds.

Discussions between the leaders will focus on several key pillars, including defense and security, trade and investment, food security, energy security, essential minerals and capacity building in sectors such as health and education. Eight agreements and several memorandums of understanding are also expected to be announced during the visit, Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono told reporters ahead of the visit.

The two leaders spoke Tuesday after a ceremony at Merdeka Palace, Indonesia’s main presidential office.

The visit marks Modi’s second trip to Indonesia as prime minister, following his previous visit in 2018, and comes after Prabowo attended India’s Republic Day celebrations as the chief guest last year, said Sugiono, who like many Indonesians uses only one name.

Modi has arrived Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia, Monday afternoon for a three-day visit to Southeast Asia’s largest economy. This was the first leg of his overseas visit to Indo-Pacific countries, including Australia and New Zealand.

Modi received a warm welcome, with his plane escorted into Indonesian airspace by three fighter jets. He was welcomed on the tarmac by Prabowo at Halim Perdanakusuma Air Base, underscoring the importance Jakarta places on its relations with New Delhi.

Indonesia and India are member states of Group of 20 major developing countries and emerging economies, and BRICS.

Indian Ambassador to Indonesia Sandeep Chakravorty said Modi was also expected to address members of Indonesia’s Parliament on Tuesday before attending an evening with the Indian community in Indonesia. He said the visit reflects growing cooperation between two of Asia’s most influential democracies.

“In the recent geopolitical context, closer ties between the two Southern leaders are essential so that we can convey to the world the message that we are together and working for each other’s strength,” Chakravorty told reporters ahead of the visit.

Chakravorty said defense cooperation should feature prominently during the negotiations. He said Indonesia had expressed interest in acquiring India’s BrahMos supersonic cruise missile system and discussions had reached an advanced stage.

Beyond defense acquisitions, the two countries are expected to discuss broader maritime security cooperation, with India and Indonesia sharing strategic interests along key maritime routes connecting the Indian and Pacific Oceans, Chakravorty said. A planned launch of the Indonesia Open Network, a digital commerce platform inspired by India’s digital public infrastructure model, is also expected during Modi’s visit.

Sugiono said Modi is expected to visit the ancient city of Yogyakarta on Wednesday, where he may announce the start of an India-backed restoration project at the Prambanan Hindu temple, one of Indonesia’s most important cultural heritage sites. The project follows an agreement reached during Prabowo’s visit to India.

Modi will visit Australia the same day to meet his Australian counterpart Antoine Albanais.