India-Indonesia Relations

Source: Indian Express
GS II: Bilateral, Regional and Global  Groupings and Agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interest.

Overview

1. News in Brief
2. Key Highlights

Why in the News?

Recently, the 8th India-Indonesia Joint Commission Meeting held in New Delhi.

News in Brief

• External Affairs Minister Dr.S. Jaishankar and Indonesia counterpart Sugiono held bilatral talks.
• Reaffirmed their commitment to strengthen their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
• Agreed to deepen cooperation in defence, maritime security, infrastructure, digital connectivity and trade.

Key Highlights

• Defence and Security Cooperation
  • • • Expansion of military-to-military engagement and joint exercises.
      • Enhance defence- industrial cooperation.
      • Focus on maintaining peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.
      • Greater cooperation in counter-terrorism and regional security.
• Maritime Security
  • • • Joint efforts to secure critical sea lanes and shipping routes.
      • Cooperation in the strategically important Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and Malacca Strait region.
• Trade and Economic relations
  • • • Expansion of bilateral trade and investments.
      • Strengthening supply chain resilience.
      • Promotion of fintech and digital economy partnerships.
      • Collaboration in critical minerals and fertilizer sectors.
• Digital and Infrastructure Connectivity
  • • • Cooperation in digital public infrastructure and emerging technologies.
      • Encouraging innovation and technology partnerships.
      • Enhancing  connectivity between business and people.
      • Supporting infrastructure development projects.
• Health, Education, and Cultural Exchanges
  • • • Collaboration in healthcare and pharmaceutical sectors.
      • Expansion of educational partnerships.
      • Promotion of people-to-people ties.

Historical context – India and Indonesia Relations

• Shared anti-colonial legacy
  • • • Both countries fought against colonial rule and supported each other’s independence movements.
      • Independent India and Indonesia were among the foremost supporters of cooperation, independence, and solidarity among Asian and African nations.
• Bandung Conference (1955)
  • • • The first Afro-Asian Conference also known as the Bandung Conference, held to unite newly independent Asian and African nations to promote economic and cultural cooperation and also to oppose colonialism.
      • The Bandung Conference laid the foundation for NAM – Non-Aligned Movement.
• Non-Aligned Movement (NAM)
  • • • Non-Aligned Movement was formally established in 1961.
      • India and Indonesia played significant role in its evolution.

Indonesia in the World Map

UPSC Prelims Practice Question

With reference to India-Indonesia relations, consider the following statements,

1. Indonesia is India’s largest trading partner in ASEAN.
2. The Malacca Strait is strategically important for India-Indonesia maritime cooperation.
3. Indonesia is a key pillar of India’s Act East Policy.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

a) 1 and 2 only

b) 2 and 3 only

c) 1 and 3 only

d) 1,2 and 3

Answer: b) 2 and 3 only

Explanation: Indonesia is important trading partner, but not the largest trading partner of India in ASEAN – largest is Singapore (annual trade – $34 billion).

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