Trade, defence, temple diplomacy: What Indonesia expects from PM Modi's visit
Indonesia's envoy said Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit could drive progress in defence, trade, connectivity and culture between the two countries as Jakarta sees the trip as a chance to turn political warmth into structured economic and strategic outcomes.
Indonesia's Charge d'Affaires Yudho Sasangko spoke to India Today Group's Pranay Upadhyaya on the trajectory of India–Indonesia ties at a moment when both sides are looking to move beyond symbolism into structured economic and strategic delivery. The interview came as Prime Minister Narendra Modi prepares for his visit to Indonesia, a trip being viewed in Jakarta as an opportunity to inject momentum into long-pending initiatives across defence, trade, connectivity and cultural cooperation.
The visit is taking place against the backdrop of the 2018 Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, which set an ambitious framework but has seen uneven progress across sectors. While political engagement has remained steady, implementation on the ground has lagged in key areas such as supply chains, infrastructure connectivity and defence-industrial cooperation.
Here are the excerpts from the interview:
Q: This is Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s fourth visit to Indonesia, but first since the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership was signed in 2018. What, in your view, is the most consequential outcome this visit could deliver for the next decade of India-Indonesia ties?
Ans: The most consequential outcome would be to lift the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership onto a higher trajectory for the coming decade, converting long-standing civilisational and people-to-people ties into deeper economic integration and a stronger maritime and strategic framework.
Coming after President Prabowo’s visit to India as Chief Guest for the 76th Republic Day, this moment allows both sides to translate political proximity into durable, business-focused cooperation. That includes critical minerals, resilient supply chains, defence collaboration, digital economy linkages, and improved connectivity.
If the visit sustains momentum across these sectors, it will have achieved its core purpose.
Q: Reports suggest the BrahMos missile deal is in its final stages. Beyond this specific agreement, how central is defence-industrial cooperation to Indonesia’s long-term strategic thinking?
Ans: Defence-industrial cooperation is central to Indonesia’s long-term priorities. As we modernise our armed forces, we are looking for partnerships that go beyond one-off transactions.
We value cooperation that includes technology transfer, co-production, and joint capability development. India, with its expanding defence-industrial base, is well positioned to be such a partner across multiple domains.
Both sides have already expressed intent to broaden this engagement. The focus is on building a durable, forward-looking defence partnership rather than relying on isolated deals.
Q: Bilateral trade is around USD 25 billion and still heavily concentrated in coal, palm oil and petroleum. What could a more diversified trade basket realistically look like in five years?
Ans: The current trade relationship is strong, but both sides recognise the need for diversification and higher value addition.
In five years, a more balanced basket could include critical minerals and downstream metal products, particularly nickel and the battery and electric vehicle ecosystem. It could also expand into pharmaceuticals, medical devices, digital services, renewable energy, and food processing.
Achieving this will require progress on the AITIGA Review and stronger regulatory coordination to improve market access in a mutually beneficial manner.
Q: The Andaman-Aceh connectivity corridor has been discussed for years. Will this visit provide fresh momentum, and what has slowed it so far?
Ans: There is optimism that the initiative can now move forward with greater urgency.
Both sides are looking at convening the third Joint Task Force meeting on Andaman–Aceh connectivity in the second half of 2026, along with a concrete plan of action. The idea also includes exploring integrated development of Sabang Port.
Such large infrastructure proposals naturally take time due to alignment of scope, financing, and regulatory frameworks. The key shift now is the clear political will on both sides to advance the project in a structured and time-bound way.
Q: Prime Minister Modi is scheduled to visit the Prambanan Temple complex. Beyond symbolism, how does Indonesia view shared civilisational heritage translating into practical cooperation?
Ans: Shared heritage is seen as a living platform for practical engagement.
The Archaeological Survey of India’s restoration work at the Prambanan Temple complex reflects strong technical collaboration. This foundation can be expanded into broader cultural and educational partnerships.
Indonesia will commemorate 2026–2027 as the “Tagore–Dewantara Year,” marking 100 years since Rabindranath Tagore’s 1927 visit, with a series of cultural, academic, and people-to-people programmes.
There is also growing interest from leading Indian institutions in establishing campuses in Indonesia. Alongside this, both countries aim to deepen student exchanges, joint research, and language and cultural cooperation.
Q: With shifting US-China dynamics in the Indo-Pacific, where does the India-Indonesia relationship fit in the regional balance?
Ans: Indonesia follows an independent and active foreign policy and does not view partnerships through bloc politics.
India is seen as a fellow major democracy committed to a free, open, inclusive, and rules-based Indo-Pacific, grounded in international law and ASEAN centrality.
In a more contested region, closer coordination between two large maritime democracies can serve as a stabilising factor. The relationship is expected to contribute to regional peace, prosperity, and strategic balance in a consistent and constructive manner.
Q: With India set to host the next Brics summit and Indonesia now a member, what role does Jakarta see itself playing, and what does it expect from India’s chairmanship?
Ans: Indonesia fully supports India's Brics chairmanship in 2026 and looks forward to closely coordination in shaping a forward-looking agenda.
As a new member, Indonesia aims to play an active role representing Global South priorities and strengthening South-South cooperation.
It also expects India, as chair, to help amplify the development concerns and aspirations of emerging economies. Within platforms like Brics, the G20, and IORA, both countries can work toward a more balanced, representative, and equitable global order.
Indonesia's Charge d'Affaires Yudho Sasangko spoke to India Today Group's Pranay Upadhyaya on the trajectory of India–Indonesia ties at a moment when both sides are looking to move beyond symbolism into structured economic and strategic delivery. The interview came as Prime Minister Narendra Modi prepares for his visit to Indonesia, a trip being viewed in Jakarta as an opportunity to inject momentum into long-pending initiatives across defence, trade, connectivity and cultural cooperation.
The visit is taking place against the backdrop of the 2018 Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, which set an ambitious framework but has seen uneven progress across sectors. While political engagement has remained steady, implementation on the ground has lagged in key areas such as supply chains, infrastructure connectivity and defence-industrial cooperation.
Here are the excerpts from the interview:
Q: This is Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s fourth visit to Indonesia, but first since the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership was signed in 2018. What, in your view, is the most consequential outcome this visit could deliver for the next decade of India-Indonesia ties?
Ans: The most consequential outcome would be to lift the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership onto a higher trajectory for the coming decade, converting long-standing civilisational and people-to-people ties into deeper economic integration and a stronger maritime and strategic framework.
Coming after President Prabowo’s visit to India as Chief Guest for the 76th Republic Day, this moment allows both sides to translate political proximity into durable, business-focused cooperation. That includes critical minerals, resilient supply chains, defence collaboration, digital economy linkages, and improved connectivity.
If the visit sustains momentum across these sectors, it will have achieved its core purpose.
Q: Reports suggest the BrahMos missile deal is in its final stages. Beyond this specific agreement, how central is defence-industrial cooperation to Indonesia’s long-term strategic thinking?
Ans: Defence-industrial cooperation is central to Indonesia’s long-term priorities. As we modernise our armed forces, we are looking for partnerships that go beyond one-off transactions.
We value cooperation that includes technology transfer, co-production, and joint capability development. India, with its expanding defence-industrial base, is well positioned to be such a partner across multiple domains.
Both sides have already expressed intent to broaden this engagement. The focus is on building a durable, forward-looking defence partnership rather than relying on isolated deals.
Q: Bilateral trade is around USD 25 billion and still heavily concentrated in coal, palm oil and petroleum. What could a more diversified trade basket realistically look like in five years?
Ans: The current trade relationship is strong, but both sides recognise the need for diversification and higher value addition.
In five years, a more balanced basket could include critical minerals and downstream metal products, particularly nickel and the battery and electric vehicle ecosystem. It could also expand into pharmaceuticals, medical devices, digital services, renewable energy, and food processing.
Achieving this will require progress on the AITIGA Review and stronger regulatory coordination to improve market access in a mutually beneficial manner.
Q: The Andaman-Aceh connectivity corridor has been discussed for years. Will this visit provide fresh momentum, and what has slowed it so far?
Ans: There is optimism that the initiative can now move forward with greater urgency.
Both sides are looking at convening the third Joint Task Force meeting on Andaman–Aceh connectivity in the second half of 2026, along with a concrete plan of action. The idea also includes exploring integrated development of Sabang Port.
Such large infrastructure proposals naturally take time due to alignment of scope, financing, and regulatory frameworks. The key shift now is the clear political will on both sides to advance the project in a structured and time-bound way.
Q: Prime Minister Modi is scheduled to visit the Prambanan Temple complex. Beyond symbolism, how does Indonesia view shared civilisational heritage translating into practical cooperation?
Ans: Shared heritage is seen as a living platform for practical engagement.
The Archaeological Survey of India’s restoration work at the Prambanan Temple complex reflects strong technical collaboration. This foundation can be expanded into broader cultural and educational partnerships.
Indonesia will commemorate 2026–2027 as the “Tagore–Dewantara Year,” marking 100 years since Rabindranath Tagore’s 1927 visit, with a series of cultural, academic, and people-to-people programmes.
There is also growing interest from leading Indian institutions in establishing campuses in Indonesia. Alongside this, both countries aim to deepen student exchanges, joint research, and language and cultural cooperation.
Q: With shifting US-China dynamics in the Indo-Pacific, where does the India-Indonesia relationship fit in the regional balance?
Ans: Indonesia follows an independent and active foreign policy and does not view partnerships through bloc politics.
India is seen as a fellow major democracy committed to a free, open, inclusive, and rules-based Indo-Pacific, grounded in international law and ASEAN centrality.
In a more contested region, closer coordination between two large maritime democracies can serve as a stabilising factor. The relationship is expected to contribute to regional peace, prosperity, and strategic balance in a consistent and constructive manner.
Q: With India set to host the next Brics summit and Indonesia now a member, what role does Jakarta see itself playing, and what does it expect from India’s chairmanship?
Ans: Indonesia fully supports India's Brics chairmanship in 2026 and looks forward to closely coordination in shaping a forward-looking agenda.
As a new member, Indonesia aims to play an active role representing Global South priorities and strengthening South-South cooperation.
It also expects India, as chair, to help amplify the development concerns and aspirations of emerging economies. Within platforms like Brics, the G20, and IORA, both countries can work toward a more balanced, representative, and equitable global order.
