In News:

India and Indonesia held the third India–Indonesia Defence Ministers’ Dialogue in New Delhi, co-chaired by Rajnath Singh, India’s Defence Minister, and Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin, the Defence Minister of Indonesia. The dialogue marked another step in deepening bilateral defence ties amid evolving regional security dynamics in the Indo-Pacific.

Context and Significance

The Indonesian Defence Minister’s visit reflects growing momentum in India–Indonesia defence engagement. It followed high-level interactions earlier in the year, including the Indonesian President’s visit to India, underscoring the strategic importance both countries attach to defence and security cooperation.

Key Areas of Discussion

1. Regional and Multilateral Security: The two sides reviewed regional security developments and discussed multilateral issues affecting the Indo-Pacific. They reaffirmed commitment to a free, open, inclusive, and rules-based Indo-Pacific, noting convergence between the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific and India’s Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI).

2. Maritime Cooperation: Given Indonesia’s strategic geography overseeing key sea lanes such as the Malacca, Sunda, and Lombok Straits both sides agreed to enhance cooperation in maritime domain awareness, naval coordination, and regional maritime security. They also highlighted collaboration through multilateral forums like the Indian Ocean Rim Association.

3. Defence Industry and Technology Collaboration: Indonesia welcomed India’s proposal to establish a Joint Defence Industry Cooperation Committee. This mechanism aims to strengthen technology transfer, joint research and development, harmonisation of certification standards, and defence supply-chain linkages. Prospects such as the BrahMos missile deal and broader defence manufacturing collaboration were also noted.

4. Military-to-Military Engagements: The dialogue reviewed progress in joint exercises across the three services. Key engagements include Super Garuda Shield, Exercise Garuda Shakti (Army), Exercise Samudra Shakti (Navy), participation in MILAN naval exercises, and proposed air manoeuvre exercises, reflecting expanding operational interoperability.

Broader India–Indonesia Relations

Beyond defence, India and Indonesia share strong economic ties, with bilateral trade reaching USD 38.8 billion in 2022–23. Defence cooperation is increasingly viewed as a pillar supporting wider strategic, economic, and people-to-people relations.