Subianto-Modi talks focus on ramping up maritime, defense, trade ties

New Delhi pushed for boosting cooperation on maritime security with Jakarta during Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto’s visit for India’s Republic Day celebrations over the weekend.

On its part, Indonesia welcomed India’s keen interest to bolster maritime ties, including its engagement with regional mechanisms to ensure the safety and security of sea lanes of communication, with Subianto and Prime Minister Narendra Modi acknowledging the significance of collaborative efforts to achieve safe and secure sea lanes in the region.

Both leaders agreed to the need for constant communication to discuss enhancement of maritime safety, a joint statement said.

Subianto arrived on Friday on a state visit at the invitation of Modi and attended the celebrations marking India’s 76th Republic Day as chief guest.

The Indonesian president was accompanied by a high-level delegation, including ministers as well as senior officials of government and a business delegation.

The visit, Subianto’s first in his official capacity, coincided with the 75th anniversary of India-Indonesia diplomatic relations.

Subianto and Modi recalled that Sukarno, the first president of Indonesia, was the chief guest at India’s first Republic Day in 1950.

“This is a testament to our longstanding ties and strong democratic tradition,” the joint statement said.

“India is honoured to welcome President Prabowo Subianto. When we marked our first Republic Day, Indonesia was the guest nation and now, when we are marking 75 years of India being a Republic, President Subianto will be attending the celebrations. We discussed various aspects of the India-Indonesia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership,” Modi posted on X.

India is honoured to welcome President Prabowo Subianto.

When we marked our first Republic Day, Indonesia was the guest nation and now, when we are marking 75 years of India being a Republic, President Subianto will be attending the celebrations. We discussed various aspects of… pic.twitter.com/8YiWA8zlQb

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 25, 2025

Indonesia is a key trading partner for India, with bilateral trade reaching a record high of $38.8 billion.

Modi and Subianto agreed to expedite the conclusion of trade agreements to enhance economic ties.

A key feature of Subianto’s visit was the participation of 352 Indonesian armed forces personnel comprising both the marching contingent and marching band in the Republic Day Parade.

The leaders “held comprehensive discussions covering the full spectrum of bilateral cooperation, including political, defense and security, maritime, economic, health and pharmaceuticals, food and energy security, digital transition, sustainable energy transition, blue economy as well as education and cultural cooperation,” the joint statement said.

“They expressed satisfaction with the robust and dynamic bilateral ties, following the elevation of the relationship to Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2018,” it added.

Both leaders emphasized the need to maintain peace, safety, and security in the region’s maritime areas, including free navigation and flight.

They stressed the importance of resolving disputes peacefully based on international law, specifically the 1982 UNCLOS.

They also backed the full implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct in the South China Sea and expressed hope for a quick agreement on a meaningful Code of Conduct that aligns with international law.

Agreeing to deepen defense ties, both leaders discussed the potential of the Defense Cooperation Agreement (DCA) and planned to hold regular dialogues to strengthen military collaboration.

Both leaders condemned terrorism in all forms and committed to enhancing cooperation against it through bilateral and multilateral initiatives, including capacity-building efforts.

Reaffirming their commitment to regional peace and security, Prabowo and Modi welcomed ongoing cooperation under the India-Indonesia-Australia trilateral format to address common challenges, exchanged views, and explored opportunities for collaboration, including in the areas of maritime domain awareness, marine pollution, blue economy and also under the frameworks of East Asia Summit (EAS), Indo-Pacific Oceans’ Initiative (IPOI) and Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA).

Both leaders welcomed the signing of the memorandum of understanding on health cooperation and agreed to exchange best practices and capacity building within the healthcare sector.

They also gave their approval to restoring direct flights and expanding an air services agreement, while noting that such an agreement would enhance connectivity, trade, and tourism between India and Indonesia.