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India-Indonesia Defence Ministers’ Dialogue Strengthens Ties

Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh and his Indonesian counterpart Mr Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin co-chaired the third India-Indonesia Defence Ministers’ Dialogue in New Delhi on 27 November 2025. The two leaders reaffirmed a broad strategic partnership and agreed to deepen cooperation across defence industry collaboration, maritime security, cyber resilience and multilateral engagement in the Indo-Pacific.

High-level engagements and Republic Day ties

Both sides recalled President Prabowo Subianto’s visit to India as Republic Day chief guest earlier in 2025 and noted the participation of 352 Indonesian Armed Forces personnel in the parade  gestures that have amplified bilateral trust. Ministers said outcomes from high-level exchanges between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Subianto have helped elevate the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between India and Indonesia.

Shared vision for the Indo-Pacific

India and Indonesia reiterated the need for a free, open, peaceful, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific, governed by international law and respect for sovereignty. Both sides highlighted the complementarity between the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific and India’s Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative, and agreed to intensify cooperation under multilateral frameworks such as the Indian Ocean Rim Association.

Maritime security, exercises and operational readiness

Ministers emphasised practical cooperation in maritime domain awareness, joint operational readiness and exercises. They welcomed continued engagement across exercises such as Super Garuda Shield, Garuda Shakti, Samudra Shakti, MILAN and planned Air Manoeuvre Exercises. Both countries agreed to sustain officer exchanges, joint training programmes and visits to defence education institutions to boost interoperability.

Defence industry cooperation and technology partnerships

A key outcome was mutual support for enhanced defence industry collaboration. Indonesia welcomed India’s proposal to set up a Joint Defence Industry Cooperation Committee to advance technology transfer, joint R&D, certification harmonisation and supply-chain linkages. Ministers underscored the benefits of partnership in areas including defence materials, naval systems and maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO).

Submarine capability, medical cooperation and humanitarian support

India’s experience with submarine development, including Scorpene-class programmes, featured as a valuable area for cooperation to support Indonesia’s future capabilities. The two sides also discussed defence medicine and pharmaceutical collaboration  focusing on joint research, technology transfer and training to strengthen military health resilience.

They reaffirmed common positions on international peace initiatives, including support for a just resolution in Palestine, and expressed readiness to collaborate on humanitarian assistance, post-conflict reconstruction and UN-mandated peacekeeping, with Indonesia indicating willingness to contribute personnel under appropriate mandates.

Symbolic gestures and the way forward

India announced the gifting of ceremonial horses and a carriage to Indonesia from the Indian Army’s Remount Veterinary Corps as a symbol of goodwill and cultural diplomacy. Both ministers welcomed the dialogue’s outcomes and underscored the need for sustained high-level exchanges, practical cooperation and structured institutional mechanisms to manage growing defence ties.

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