India and Indonesia have taken a significant step forward in their strategic partnership, strengthening defence and maritime cooperation through key agreements and initiatives.
India, Indonesia Boost Defence Cooperation
India and Indonesia have taken a significant step forward in their strategic partnership, strengthening defence and maritime cooperation through key agreements and initiatives. The two nations reaffirmed their commitment to deepening ties with the ratification of the Defence Cooperation Agreement and agreed to enhance collaboration through cadet exchanges between their Naval Academies.
Additionally, both countries emphasised the importance of the Joint Defence Cooperation Committee in driving defence modernization and shared expertise. The press release further said that the two countries had adopted the “Shared Vision of India-Indonesia on Maritime Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific” in 2018. The two leaders reaffirmed that India and Indonesia as maritime neighbours and strategic partners must continue to work to further deepen and broaden the defence cooperation to a robust one.
The two leaders expressed satisfaction at the strategic and operational interaction between the defence forces of both countries, comprising more than two decades long continuous biannual India-Indonesia Coordinated Patrol, conduct of periodic bilateral Army (Ex Garuda Shakti) and Naval (Ex Samudra Shakti) exercises, and regular participation in each other’s multilateral exercises- Milan, Komodo, Tarang Shakti and Super Garuda Shield.
Both leaders welcomed the ongoing discussions on the White Shipping Information Exchange (WSIE) agreement. They agreed to position an International Liaison Officer (ILO) from Indonesia at Information Fusion Centre-Indian Ocean region (IFC-IOR) Gurugram. The two leaders shared mutual appreciation for having co-chaired HADR related activities at ADMM+ and maritime security events at ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) in the previous cycle.
The leaders also agreed to commence cooperation in Hydrography and Submarine Search and Rescue while looking forward to the next edition of Exercise Samudra Shakti. Both leaders called upon all countries to take concerted action against UN-proscribed terrorist organizations and their affiliates. Both leaders welcomed the 6th Joint Working Group Meeting on Counter-Terrorism, held in Jakarta on 23 August 2024, as a crucial platform for strengthening bilateral cooperation.
