Modi in Jakarta: India, Indonesia Forge Deeper Defence Ties Beyond Arms Deals

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has landed in Jakarta for a crucial three-day visit, with Indonesia keen to significantly elevate its defence ties with India beyond simply buying weapons. Jakarta is pushing for deeper collaboration through technology transfer, co-production, and joint capability development, marking a new chapter in their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. High on the agenda are detailed talks for a phased procurement of India formidable BrahMos supersonic cruise missile system, which could see Indonesia become its second foreign buyer after the Philippines. This push comes as both nations increasingly focus on securing sea lanes and bolstering regional stability in the strategically vital Indo-Pacific. Indonesia Charge d'Affaires in Delhi, Yudho Sasongko, highlighted India growing defence-industrial base makes it a 'natural partner' for Jakarta's defence modernisation efforts, emphasizing a move towards genuine cooperation rather than transactional purchases. The ongoing discussions are also expected to cover potential collaboration on Scorpene-class submarines and India impressive defence exports, which hit a record ₹38,424 crore in FY 2025-26, showcase its rising role as a global defence provider. Looking ahead, the visit is anticipated to solidify plans for a Joint Defence Industry Cooperation Committee, fostering long-term industrial and technological synergy. Beyond defence, the leaders will explore cooperation in critical minerals like nickel, digital public infrastructure initiatives such as the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) linkage, and the long-discussed Sabang-Nicobar corridor, which aims to boost maritime connectivity. The outcomes of these discussions will signal a more integrated approach to bilateral relations, potentially reshaping regional security and economic landscapes in the Indo-Pacific.