India, Indonesia Deepen Maritime and Defence Partnership with Focus on Great Nicobar and Sabang Port
JakartaIndia and Indonesia have strengthened their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's state visit to Jakarta, with maritime security and defence cooperation emerging as key priorities. Discussions centred on strategic initiatives including India's Great Nicobar Island Development Project and Indonesia's Sabang Port, underscoring the growing importance of the Indo-Pacific region.
A major outcome of the visit was Indonesia's decision to station a liaison officer at India's Information Fusion Centre–Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR) in Gurugram, enhancing real-time maritime information sharing and regional security cooperation. Both countries also renewed their Coast Guard cooperation through a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and reaffirmed their commitment to advancing the shared maritime vision first announced in 2018.
The two sides agreed to expand defence collaboration beyond military exchanges by promoting partnerships between their defence industries. Discussions covered cooperation in naval shipbuilding, defence manufacturing, and missile technologies, reflecting India's expanding indigenous defence capabilities.
Beyond security, both nations pledged to strengthen economic ties, aiming to increase bilateral trade beyond the current USD 25 billion. Cooperation in pharmaceuticals, digital infrastructure, food processing, healthcare, education, and innovation also featured prominently during the talks.
The visit reinforced India and Indonesia's role as strategic maritime partners committed to enhancing regional stability, connectivity, and economic cooperation across the Indo-Pacific.On Date: