Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Jakarta on Monday for a two-day bilateral visit, receiving a rare personal welcome from Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto.
The Indonesian leader was accompanied at the airport by four senior Cabinet members, including the Foreign Minister, the Minister of State Secretariat (Palace Minister), the Cabinet Secretary and another senior minister, underlining the importance Jakarta has attached to the visit.
Indonesian Air Force jets escorted PM Modi’s plane the moment it entered Indonesia’s air space.
Modi’s first standalone visit to Indonesia in eight years comes as the two countries seek to deepen their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership through cooperation in defence, maritime security, critical minerals, trade, digital connectivity and food security. The visit follows President Prabowo’s visit to India as Chief Guest for the Republic Day celebrations in January 2025.
Defence is expected to dominate the talks between the two leaders. Officials are expected to discuss the next phase of the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile programme after Indonesia agreed earlier this year to purchase one battery of the missile system, becoming its third export customer after the Philippines and Vietnam.
Indonesia is understood to be interested in acquiring a second battery, reportedly worth around USD 300 million, while also seeking more flexible financing arrangements.
Sources have confirmed that technical aspects of the BrahMos deal will be discussed in detail during delegation-level talks.
Maritime security will be another major focus, with discussions expected on improving maritime domain awareness, expanding naval cooperation and strengthening coordination in the Indo-Pacific. The stationing of an Indonesian Liaison Officer at India’s Information Fusion Centre-Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR) and additional training opportunities for Indonesian military personnel are also expected to figure in the discussions.
Critical minerals are high on the agenda as India looks to strengthen supply chains for electric vehicles and clean energy. Indonesia accounts for around 21 per cent of global nickel reserves, and India imports more than 80 per cent of its ferronickel requirements from the country. New Delhi is exploring joint ventures with Indonesian companies to process nickel and other critical minerals locally.
Trade and investment are also expected to feature prominently. Indonesia is India’s second-largest trading partner in ASEAN, with bilateral trade reaching USD 24.78 billion in 2025-26. More than 130 Indian companies operate in Indonesia across infrastructure, manufacturing, energy, pharmaceuticals and information technology.
The two sides are also expected to review cooperation in food security, healthcare and digital connectivity, including efforts to link India’s UPI with Indonesia’s QRIS payment system and expand collaboration on digital public infrastructure.
Modi and President Prabowo are also scheduled to visit the Prambanan Temple Complex, Indonesia’s largest Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. India will commemorate the centenary of Rabindranath Tagore’s visit to Indonesia in 2027 as part of efforts to strengthen cultural ties.
Multiple agreements covering defence, critical minerals, healthcare, education, space cooperation and digital connectivity are expected to be signed during the visit.
