India and Indonesia Deepen Ties with Defence Deals and Sabang Port Project
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's meeting with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto marks a step towards revitalising a bilateral relationship that has seen both warmth and neglect over the decades. The two nations, which co-hosted the 1955 Bandung Conference and share a history of anti-colonial solidarity, are now focusing on defence, critical minerals, and maritime security as core areas of cooperation.
India has agreed to supply BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles and Astra air-to-air missiles to Indonesia, highlighting New Delhi's growing role as a defence exporter. Additionally, both sides are exploring ways to utilise Indonesia's reserves of nickel and rare earth elements, though this will require enhanced domestic capacity and private sector involvement.
A key outcome is the joint development of Sabang Port, located near the northwestern entrance to the Strait of Malacca, one of the world's busiest maritime chokepoints. The strait handles a significant portion of global oil shipments, and its security is vital for many economies, including China, which relies heavily on it for oil imports. India's partnership with Indonesia on this project aims to ensure the port's integrated development, but past efforts since 2018 have faced bureaucratic and financial hurdles.
