India and Indonesia will work together to strengthen cooperation in key sectors such as defence production & supply chain, fintech, maritime affairs, AI, internet of things and digital public infrastructure, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said.
Modi and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, who is in India on a four-day official visit, held wide-ranging talks on Saturday focussing on economic and strategic issues including accelerating bilateral trade.
The two leaders witnessed the signing of bilateral agreements in multiple sectors such as culture, health, maritime security and digital technology. “Over the last few years the bilateral trade between India and Indonesia has increased rapidly. Last year, it crossed the $30 billion mark. To further this, we’ve discussed diversifying market access and trade basket,” Modi said in a press statement after the bilateral meeting.
The private sector is also an equal partner in these efforts, he said. “We welcome the CEO Forum meeting held today and the agreements finalised in the private sector,” Modi said.
Important partner
The Indian PM emphasised that Indonesia was an important partner of India in the 10-nation ASEAN bloc as well as in the Indo-Pacific and both countries were committed to a rules-based order in the region.
Subianto’s visit to India is the first in his capacity as President, after he assumed office in October 2024. He will be the chief guest at India’s 76th Republic Day celebrations on Sunday. The Indonesian leader thanked India for supporting the country’s admission as a full member of the BRICS grouping of developing economies earlier this year and said that the bloc will be beneficial for global stability and regional cooperation.
Intensive and very frank discussions
He said that he had intensive and very frank discussions with Modi and had directed his team “to accelerate, to expedite, to cut bureaucracy, too much over-regulation” to strengthen economic partnership with India. “We discussed many key sectors of common interest in which we would like to accelerate the level of cooperation,” Subianto said.
The Indonesian President’s high-profile delegation to India comprises six Cabinet ministers, senior officials and several business representatives. “We have also emphasised on cooperation in maritime security, cyber security, counter-terrorism and de-radicalisation. The agreement signed today in maritime safety and security will further strengthen our cooperation in crime prevention, search and rescue and capacity building,” Modi noted.
In the sectors of health and food security, India is sharing its learnings and experience from the mid-day meal scheme and the Public Distribution System with Indonesia, the PM said. “We have also decided that we will work together in sectors of energy, critical minerals, science & technology, space and STEM education. The Disaster Management Authorities of both countries shall also come together to perform joint exercises,” he added.