Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Prabowo Subianto jointly inaugurated the UNESCO World Heritage Prambanan Temple restoration project on Wednesday, July 8, 2026, marking a significant milestone in bilateral cultural cooperation. The Prime Minister offered prayers at the ancient shrine and engaged with officials on site, with enthusiastic crowds waving national flags lining the streets to welcome the leaders. Constructed in the 9th century, Prambanan stands as Indonesia's largest Hindu temple complex, primarily dedicated to Lord Shiva, with its towering 47-metre Shiva temple being the tallest structure at the site. The temple complex originally comprised 240 temples and ranks among the world's most extensive Hindu temple ensembles, featuring elaborate carvings narrating scenes from the Ramayana and other Hindu epics.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Prabowo Subianto held official bilateral talks on 7 July 2026 at Istana Merdeka, Jakarta, according to reports from ANI. The leaders issued a joint statement following the State Visit by Prime Minister Modi to Indonesia, covering the full spectrum of bilateral relations including political engagement, defence and security cooperation, maritime cooperation, trade and investment, digital economy, science and technology, space, critical minerals, energy, agriculture, health, pharma, education, culture, tourism, youth exchanges and people-to-people ties. The leaders agreed to hold regular summit meetings, including on the sidelines of multilateral events, while strengthening existing bilateral dialogue mechanisms. Following the discussions, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal confirmed that the leaders reviewed the full spectrum of the India-Indonesia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership encompassing trade & investment, defence & security, maritime cooperation, energy, healthcare & pharma, space, critical minerals and rare earths, culture, tourism, and people-to-people exchanges.
The leaders highlighted that economic and trade cooperation remains a key pillar of the dynamic India-Indonesia ties, as reported by ANI. Both leaders acknowledged the vast economic and developmental synergies between India's vision of 'Viksit Bharat 2047' and 'Indonesia Emas 2045', and the role of broader and deeper economic integration between the two countries for unlocking greater economic opportunities. Prime Minister Modi emphasized the enduring civilisational ties, stating that "India and Indonesia do not just share the sea; we also share our history. Our relationship is rooted in the legacy of the Ramayana and the Mahabharata... We are linked through magnificent monuments such as Borobudur and Prambanan. We are connected through Garuda, Indonesia's national emblem. We are connected through the joy and celebrations of the Bali Jatra festival." The leaders reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership across multiple sectors including defence, maritime cooperation, and economic collaboration.
On defence and maritime cooperation, both sides reaffirmed their commitment to further expanding defence ties, including regular dialogues, joint military exercises, staff talks, defence research, co-production of new defence technologies, hydrography, peacekeeping, information sharing and defence industrial cooperation. They welcomed the elevation of defence cooperation through collaboration on the BrahMos missile system and the Air-to-Air Missile Cooperation Agreement. The leaders agreed to deepen maritime cooperation in maritime domain awareness, coastal surveillance, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, pollution control and search and rescue. They welcomed the renewal of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Maritime Safety and Security Cooperation, the implementing arrangement between Indonesia's BAKAMLA and the Indian Coast Guard, and Indonesia's deployment of an International Liaison Officer at the Information Fusion Centre-Indian Ocean Region in Gurugram.
Towards enhancing bilateral trade, the leaders expressed desire for a timely conclusion of ASEAN India Trade in Goods Agreement (AITIGA) review for a balanced, mutually beneficial and facilitative trade environment, according to ANI. This was followed by a comprehensive deeper bilateral trade engagement to enhance bilateral trade between the two nations. The two sides witnessed the exchange of multiple bilateral agreements covering key areas such as maritime safety and security, space cooperation, defence, steel supply chain, rare earths, health, agriculture, and science and technology. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal confirmed that these agreements will strengthen bilateral cooperation across key sectors and contribute to further deepening the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. The leaders also agreed to strengthen cooperation in finance, digital economy, critical minerals and resilient supply chains.
Both leaders emphasised the need to fully utilise and strengthen the existing bilateral economic mechanisms, as reported by ANI. This includes the convening in 2026 of the 2nd meeting of the Working Group on Trade and Investment (WGTI), the 4th Biennial Trade Ministers' Forum (BTMF), and the 1st meeting of the Joint Economic and Financial Dialogue (EFD). The two leaders underscored the importance of further strengthening collaboration in critical minerals and rare earths with a focus on building diversified and resilient supply chains essential for the growth of domestic manufacturing industries towards reducing vulnerabilities and strengthening economic security. The two countries welcomed agreements on minerals and steel supply chains, including a strategic joint venture between Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) and PT Krakatau Steel to explore establishing a stainless-steel slab manufacturing facility in Indonesia. The cultural collaboration extends beyond bilateral agreements, with the leaders highlighting the shared legacy of ancient monuments and cultural festivals that connect the two nations.
The leaders reaffirmed their commitment to a 'free, open, transparent, rules-based, peaceful, prosperous and inclusive Indo-Pacific region' and stressed respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity, international law and freedom of navigation in accordance with the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). Indonesia reiterated support for India's BRICS Chairship in 2026, while India pledged support for Indonesia's role as a BRICS member. Expressing concern over the situation in West Asia, the two leaders welcomed the Memorandum of Understanding signed on June 17, 2026, which called for de-escalation through dialogue and diplomacy, and underlined the importance of safeguarding freedom of navigation and transit through the Strait of Hormuz in accordance with international law. Prime Minister Modi thanked President Prabowo for the warm hospitality extended during the visit and invited the Indonesian President to visit India at a mutually convenient time.
