Prime Minister Narendra Modi's state visit to Indonesia has culminated in 20 significant agreements between New Delhi and Jakarta, spanning defence, critical minerals, maritime security, trade, health, education, agriculture and cultural cooperation, according to details shared by the government. The visit has focused on defence cooperation, critical minerals, maritime security and digital payments, with officials confirming that India and Indonesia will seek to advance their defence and maritime security partnership. India and Indonesia inked agreement on minerals and technologies for steel supply chain, a move aimed at strengthening the critical mineral supply chain between the two nations amid growing global competition to secure such resources. In a joint press interaction, PM Modi emphasized that "In today's era, the supply chain resilience of technology holds great significance. An important agreement was reached to further strengthen the supply chain in the sectors of critical minerals and steel."
India's Unified Payments Interface (UPI) will integrate with Indonesia's payment system, a move expected to make cross-border payments easier and strengthen trade, tourism and business between the two countries, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced during his visit to Jakarta. Union Minister for Electronics and Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw shared the announcement, with PM Modi stating "India's UPI is going to integrate with Indonesia's payment system. This will strengthen both ease of doing business and ease of travel." President Prabowo Subianto also confirmed that both countries will work on establishing cross-border QR payment linkages. The integration is expected to allow users from both countries to make digital payments more seamlessly, reducing dependence on cash and simplifying transactions for travellers and businesses. The move builds on India's growing efforts to expand UPI internationally, with the payment platform already operational in countries including Singapore, the UAE, Bhutan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, France, Mauritius, Qatar, Cambodia and Greece. According to the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, India has signed MoUs or agreements with 23 countries for cooperation on Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), while UPI is already live in more than eight countries.
India is set to supply BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles and the indigenous Astra air-to-air missile system to Indonesia, following delegation-level talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto during Modi's visit to Jakarta. Indonesia has decided to procure India's Astra Mk-1 beyond-visual-range air-to-air missiles, making it the first foreign customer for the indigenously developed weapon following its reported success during Operation Sindoor. As per PTI reports, India will also support the integration of the Astra missiles with the Indonesian Air Force's Su-30 fighter aircraft, with Indonesia also looking to induct additional BrahMos missile batteries. The two countries signed an air-to-air missile cooperation agreement, expected to boost India's defence exports under the 'Make-in-India for the World' push. This development represents a significant milestone in bilateral defence cooperation, with the Astra Mk-1's performance during Operation Sindoor boosting international confidence in the platform and paving the way for the anticipated Indonesian orders. The overarching theme of the discussions was an effort to deepen defence and maritime security ties to ensure peace in the Indo-Pacific region.
India and Indonesia have signed a landmark agreement to jointly develop Indonesia's Sabang Port, located near the strategic Strait of Malacca, according to Business Standard reports. The port project, located on Weh Island in Indonesia's Aceh province at the northern tip of Sumatra, is only around 160 kilometres from India's upcoming international transshipment terminal at Great Nicobar Island. Sabang Port is located near one of the world's busiest shipping routes, the Strait of Malacca, which links the Indian Ocean with the South China Sea and the Pacific Ocean. The port's proximity to the Strait of Malacca allows India to strengthen trade, improve maritime connectivity, and enhance its strategic presence in a region that has become increasingly important amid global geopolitical competition. Once developed alongside the Great Nicobar project, it will give India a presence on both sides of the northern entrance to the Malacca Strait, improving India's ability to monitor maritime activity while strengthening its role as a key stakeholder in Indo-Pacific security. The project also fits into India's Act East Policy and its broader Indo-Pacific vision, with future development enabling the port to become a regional transshipment hub for Southeast Asia and support movement of containers, petroleum products, coal, iron ore, fertilisers, and agricultural cargo.
At a joint press briefing, PM Modi said the two countries had reached an agreement to enhance defence exchanges, disaster management and industrial cooperation, stating that "growing trust between India and Indonesia is strengthening our defence, security and maritime cooperation." Calling the relationship one of growing strategic importance, PM Modi said the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership forged in 2018 was "taking a new flight today" and embarking on a "golden chapter" that would have a profound positive impact on the 21st century. "We are taking important steps forward in every sector -- development, security, technology, culture and education. I am confident that a golden chapter of India-Indonesia partnership begins today," he said. Beyond bilateral cooperation, the two leaders also discussed regional and global developments, including the situation in West Asia. "In this era of global turmoil, India believes that the role of dialogue and diplomacy has become more important than ever before," Modi said. "On the issue of Palestine, we support the Two-State Solution and long-term peace." The prime minister also announced that the Indian Institute of Management Bangalore will establish a campus in Indonesia, further strengthening educational ties between the two nations. Modi was also conferred the 'Bintang Adipurna of the Republic of Indonesia' medal of honour by Subianto, the Republic of Indonesia's highest civilian honour.
