Prabowo and Modi Agree to Expand Strategic Cooperation
President Prabowo Subianto and Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi have agreed to strengthen their comprehensive strategic partnership through expanded cooperation across various sectors. The agreement covers politics, security, economy, education, and technology, following a bilateral meeting held at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, on Tuesday (7/7).
Prabowo stated that the discussions with PM Modi were intensive and productive, oriented towards the long-term interests of both nations. “PM Modi and I have held intensive and very productive meetings with a forward-looking orientation regarding several strategic issues of mutual interest to both countries,” Prabowo said during a joint press conference.
In the fields of politics and security, both nations agreed to increase the frequency of high-level visits and expand inter-institutional cooperation, including through the newly formed Parliamentary Friendship Group. Security cooperation will also be bolstered through the 3rd India-Indonesia Security Dialogue to address transnational security challenges and combat transnational crime.
Regarding connectivity, Prabowo supports the development of ports in India’s Andaman and Nicobar Islands, as well as the development of the Sabang Port in Aceh. These two points are expected to serve as strategic links that strengthen regional integration between Indonesia and India.
The economic sector remains a primary focus, with a target to increase bilateral trade value by accelerating discussions on the Indonesia-India Preferential Trade Agreement. In the financial sector, both leaders welcomed progress on cross-border QR payment linkages to enhance transaction efficiency.
Energy cooperation will also continue to be strengthened, encompassing the development of solar power plants, technology exchange, and capacity building in nuclear technology. Additionally, collaboration in the healthcare sector will focus on increasing the capacity of medical personnel, such as doctors and nurses.
The long-standing historical ties between the two nations will be furthered by designating 2026-2027 as the Tagore-Dewantara Year. Indonesia also welcomed plans for the restoration of the Prambanan Temple Complex as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
In the field of education, the two leaders supported plans to establish a campus of the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) in Indonesia and explored opportunities for the presence of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT). “We are confident that these agreements can be implemented promptly, providing real results and benefits for the people of both nations,” concluded Prabowo.
President Prabowo Subianto and PM Modi also agreed to strengthen cooperation to maintain peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. During the visit, President Prabowo conferred the highest honour, the Bintang RI Adipurna, upon PM Modi for his role in strengthening the strategic partnership.
Discussions also touched upon potential cooperation in the supply of wheat seeds and garlic from India, alongside capacity-building programmes. Currently, Indonesia serves as India’s sixth-largest global trading partner and its largest trading partner within ASEAN. Furthermore, the Indian Ambassador, Sandeep, expressed India’s desire to invest concretely in the pharmaceutical and healthcare sectors, specifically through hospital construction projects.