The Wire Staff 
New Delhi: India and Indonesia explored deeper cooperation in defence manufacturing and supply chain development, including the maintenance of common weapons platforms and shipbuilding for coast guards, during formal talks held as part of Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto’s state visit.
The Indonesian president arrived on Thursday (January 23) night for a four-day visit to India, where he will serve as the chief guest at the 76th Republic Day celebrations on Sunday.
After a ceremonial reception at Rashtrapati Bhavan and paying respects at the memorial of Mahatma Gandhi, he held delegation-level discussions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and witnessed the signing of four agreements.
These covered cooperation in traditional medicine, digital development, cultural exchange, and, notably, collaboration between the two nations’ coast guards in maritime safety and security.
In his media statement following the talks, Modi underscored defence as a key focus of the bilateral discussions.
“To strengthen our cooperation in the defence sector, we have decided to work together in the areas of defence manufacturing and supply chain[s],” he said.
Later, addressing reporters, a senior official from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) noted that while the discussions did not delve into specifics, there was mention of Indonesia exploring the option of sourcing equipment from India.
“It was discussed that we have several common platforms and it would make sense for Indonesia to source some of their requirements for servicing of their platforms from India,” said MEA secretary (east) Jaideep Mazumdar.
Mazumdar further highlighted the potential for collaboration in shipbuilding for defence purposes. “They have extensive requirement for the coast guard, navy vessels, so that is something that we could work with them on,” he said.
The Indonesian president, a retired army general, shared plans to send a high-powered defence delegation to India in the coming weeks.
“We recently ratified the defence cooperation agreement, and we will send a high-level delegation in the field of defence as soon as possible, according to the schedule set by the Indian government,” he stated during a joint media appearance with Modi.
Ahead of the visit, there had been several reports that the purchase of Russian-Indian BrahMos cruise missiles would be a major agenda item.
However, when asked about it during the MEA’s media briefing on the visit, no such agreement was mentioned.
Meanwhile, the Republic Day parade on Sunday will feature a large military contingent from Indonesia, an event that appears to have drawn the Indonesian president’s interest.
“This is not only the first time that we are having a contingent from Indonesia marching Republic Day, but for Indonesia, it is the first time ever that a military band and a military contingent has participated in a parade abroad anywhere. So this is of particular import, because the president is also a soldier by profession, and he himself has taken great interest in the rehearsals of the army contingent in Jakarta before they came,” said Mazumdar.
Prabowo will be the fourth Indonesian leader to be the chief guest at the Republic Day parade. Indonesia’s first President Sukarno was the chief guest at India’s inaugural parade in 1950.
In a broader push for collaboration, President Prabowo said that he has instructed his officials to simplify complex regulations and bureaucracy to ensure that the cooperation agreements between the two countries can be followed up immediately.
“I have given this directive, and I will continue to instruct necessary directives to accelerate and strengthen economic cooperation with India,” he informed.
The Indonesian president also extended an invitation to Indian educational and medical institutions and companies to invest in the Southeast Asian country. He also welcomed Indian investment for infrastructure in the Sabang port, as per Indian officials.
Indonesia officially joined the BRICS grouping of developing countries earlier this month. “We also thank India for supporting our permanent membership in BRICS,” he added.