Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto have announced exciting new plans to work together, especially in defence, during President Subianto’s first visit to India since he took office in October 2024.
They talked about many important topics like defence manufacturing, making supply chains better, and strengthening security in their regions. Modi shared the special memory of Indonesia being the chief guest for India’s first Republic Day celebrations, and how proud he is to have Indonesia back as the guest for India’s 75th Republic Day this year.
In their meeting, Modi and Subianto discussed how to boost cooperation in defence production and improve supply chains between their countries. Modi also talked about working together more on maritime security — which involves safety at sea — and cybersecurity, counter-terrorism, and efforts to prevent radicalization. They signed a new agreement focused on maritime safety, which aims to improve how they work together to prevent crime, perform search and rescue operations, and build their skills.
On the economic side, PM Modi highlighted that their trade has grown significantly, surpassing $30 billion last year, and expressed hopes for further growth by diversifying their trading sectors. They also want to work on advanced technologies like FinTech, Artificial Intelligence, and the Internet of Things to share valuable knowledge, especially in health and food security.
Reflecting on the long cultural ties, Modi mentioned India’s role in preserving Indonesia’s heritage. He was especially pleased that India will help protect the Prambanan Hindu temple, following a previous effort with the Borobudur Buddhist temple.
Looking ahead, Modi expressed pride in having President Subianto as the Chief Guest at the upcoming Republic Day celebrations, noting it’s a big deal to see the Indonesian marching contingent for the first time at the event.
During his visit, President Subianto honored Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat and later received a warm welcome at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi. This visit is significant as both countries are enhancing their influence in the region through defence cooperation, trade, and technology. Together, they are ready to start a new chapter of teamwork focused on peace and prosperity.
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