India-Indonesia sign BrahMos, ASTRA deal; expand bilateral ties

Prime Minister Narendra Modi signed numerous deals, including defence and technology, with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto as the leaders held bilateral talks to strengthen strategic ties on Tuesday.

The leaders signed more than eight agreements spanning health, education, technology and defence.

The meet was closely watched as India and Indonesia sealed a long-discussed BrahMos missile agreement which become the latest link in New Delhi's latest link in a growing network of coastal missile deployments stretching across Southeast Asia. India also agreed to supply ASTRA systems to Indonesia under the new pact between Bharat Dynamics and Republic Corps.


Also read: Modi-Prabowo talks: Indonesia to import Indian Astra missiles and expand BrahMos inventory

Indonesian foreign minister Sugiono earlier highlighted that Modi’s visit would build on the momentum from Prabowo’s earlier trip to India.

“The key point is that the two leaders also have close chemistry,” he said, adding that the trip is a step toward further strengthening the friendship between Indonesia and India.

Later on Tuesday, Modi is scheduled to address Indonesia’s parliament, a recent addition to some of his state visits, and attend an event with the Indian diaspora in Jakarta.

The foreign minister said one of the understandings between the two countries involves cooperation on the rehabilitation or restoration of Prambanan Temple, Indonesia’s largest Hindu temple complex, which Modi is expected to visit before concluding his trip on Wednesday.

India-Indonesia boost strategic ties

India and Indonesia inked a pact for supply of BrahMos missiles and Air-to-Air Missile ASTRA systems to Indonesian military, with other pacts.

The two nations finalised a framework on maritime safety and security cooperation, alongside an agreement on critical minerals and technologies for steel supply chain. India’s UPI is set to be integrated with Indonesia’s payment system.

Other pacts include cooperation in the field of disaster management, cooperation in the field of minerals and technologies for the steel supply chain, implementing arrangement on the health workforce collaboration and conservation and restoration of Prambanan Temple complex in Indonesia. 


The two nations also signed Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in the field of telecommunications, technologies, and services, alongside agreements for cooperation in the field of medical products regulation, cooperation in the field of agriculture, coooperation in the field of management and technology utilisation in elections, and agreement on research, technology, and innovation coooperation.

The countries will also strengthen democratic cooperation through an MoU between the Election Commissions of both nations.

Under the key cooperation areas, India will share solutions for its mid-day meal scheme and public distribution system with Indonesia.

Indonesia President Subianto also announced that Indonesia has conferred its highest honour ’Bintang Adipurna of the Republic of Indonesia’ medal of honour upon PM Modi.

Also read: Modi in Indonesia: India forming a strategic BrahMos belt

Golden chapter of India-Indonesia partnership begins

Addressing a joint press meet along with Subianto, Modi said, "We are taking important steps in every area: development, security, technology, culture, and education. I am confident that from today, a golden chapter of the India-Indonesia partnership will begin. This golden chapter will have a very large positive impact on the world of the 21st century."

Expanding on critical minerals and steel supply agreement with Indonesia, he said, "In today's era, supply chain resilience in technology is of great importance. A significant agreement has also been reached to further strengthen supply chains in the critical minerals and steel sectors. New partnerships are being forged between our companies regarding stainless steel and rare-earth magnets."

UPI integration will boost both the ease of doing business and the ease of travel, he noted.

"Defeating poverty and ensuring the benefits of welfare programs reach our citizens is a top priority for India and Indonesia. We have shared solutions for our mid-day meal scheme and public distribution system with Indonesia. Now, we are taking this cooperation to the next level," he said, adding that health cooperation will play a vital role in ensuring quality healthcare in both countries.

Today's agreement will make high-quality and affordable Indian medicines more readily available to Indonesian citizens, the prime minister said. "We will also contribute to the capacity building of Indonesian doctors and healthcare workers."


Recently, PM Modi has undertaken strategic visits to nations in the Indian Ocean region as herecently bolstered ties with Seychelles and also met Mauritius leadership. The prime minister is now looking to elevate relationships with the nations on the eastern part of the Indian Ocean, having visited hosted Japanese PM Sanae Takaichi in New Delhi last week and visiting Indonesia, Australia and New Zealand this week.

Ahead of his departure for the three-nation visit, PM Modi said that his visit will further strengthen India's Act East Policy, MAHASAGAR Vision as well as "our outlook towards a free and open Indo-Pacific.