For over two thousand years, Indonesia and India have been connected by the flow of individuals, ideas, religions and trade across the Indian Ocean. Today, these ancient ties are evolving into some of the dynamic strategic partnerships in Asia. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s official visit to Indonesia on July 6-8, 2026, following President Prabowo Subianto’s visit to India because the Republic Day chief guest in January 2025, marked one other milestone in expanding cooperation between Southeast Asia’s largest economy and the world’s most populous democracy.
From ancient civilizations to modern strategic partners
Long before the rise of contemporary nation states, traders and students sailed between the Indian subcontinent and the Indonesian archipelago, introducing Hinduism, Buddhism, and later Islam, while leaving a deep cultural legacy that is still visible today.
The Indonesian Wayang Kulit, the Ramayana Ballet in Prambanan, Balinese Hindu traditions and countless words derived from Sanskrit all reflect centuries of cultural exchange. To rejoice this enduring bond, each countries proceed to rejoice the Year of Tagore – Ki Hadjar Dewantara, honoring the academic philosophies and cultural dialogue between Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore and the daddy of education in Indonesia, Ki Hadjar Dewantara.
As Prime Minister Narendra Modi noted during his visit:
“India and Indonesia are united not only by geographical location but also by centuries of shared history, culture and civilization.”
These historical foundations proceed to shape one in all the closest bilateral relationships in Asia.
Common heritage celebrated in Yogyakarta
In addition to the bilateral meetings in Jakarta, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Prabowo Subianto traveled together to Yogyakarta on July 8, 2026, putting culture and shared heritage at the middle of the state visit. Their visit to the Prambanan temple complex, the biggest Hindu temple in Indonesia, highlighted how centuries-old civilizational ties proceed to strengthen contemporary relations between the 2 nations.
In Prambanan, the 2 leaders witnessed the launch of a brand new cooperation between Indonesia and India to support the conservation and revitalization of the temple complex, which can involve the Indonesian Cultural Heritage Authority and specialists from the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). Prime Minister Modi also joined traditional Shanti Pooja on the Shiva Temple together with Hindu priests and area people members, highlighting the enduring spiritual and cultural links between Indonesia and India.
President Prabowo Subianto emphasized the symbolic importance of the visit, stating:
“Prambanan is a living symbol of the deep historical and cultural ties that have united Indonesia and India for centuries, reminding us that our partnership is rooted not only in common interests, but also in a common civilization.”
A brand new impulse in strategic cooperation
The Jakarta Summit between President Prabowo and Prime Minister Modi strengthened the Indonesia-India comprehensive strategic partnership, which continues to maneuver beyond diplomacy to incorporate defense, maritime security, digital transformation and economic cooperation.
Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining a free, open, inclusive and rules-based Indo-Pacific, recognizing the importance of secure sea lanes connecting the Indian and Pacific Oceans.
Defense cooperation has turn into one in all the fastest-growing pillars of the partnership. Indonesia recently moved forward in discussions to buy India’s BrahMos hypersonic cruise missiles and Astra air-to-air missiles, because the two countries proceed to strengthen military exchanges, naval cooperation and joint naval exercises.
The strategic development of Aceh’s Sabang port, positioned near the doorway to the Strait of Malacca and shut to India’s Andaman and Nicobar Islands, further highlights the growing maritime dimension of the bilateral relationship.
Trade, technology and recent economic opportunities
Economic cooperation continues to deepen together with strategic engagement.
With bilateral trade exceeding USD 30 billion annually in recent times, India has turn into one in all Indonesia’s most vital economic partners and the second largest trading partner inside ASEAN. Indonesia stays India’s leading supplier of crude palm oil (CPO) and a significant coal exporter, while India exports petroleum products, pharmaceuticals, cars, steel, machinery and agricultural goods to Indonesia.
The partnership can be entering a brand new digital phase.
The two governments are collaborating on cross-border QR payment connectivity and supporting the Indonesia Open Network (ION), inspired by India’s globally recognized Open Digital Commerce Network (ONDC). These initiatives aim to extend the efficiency of cross-border transactions while strengthening the digital inclusion of companies and consumers.
Collaboration can be expanding into critical minerals, renewable energy, electric vehicle supply chains and industrial manufacturing, including cooperation between India’s Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) and PT Krakatau Steel.
Shared leadership across the Indo-Pacific
Indonesia and India are increasingly working hand in hand in shaping regional and global governance.
As Asia’s two largest democracies and influential voices within the Global South, each countries support reforms of international institutions, including the UN Security Council, while promoting stronger representation of developing countries.
Indonesia also continues to support India’s leadership inside BRICS, while India stays a steadfast supporter of ASEAN centrality through its Act East policy, recognizing Indonesia as a key strategic partner in Southeast Asia.
During the bilateral meeting, President Prabowo Subianto emphasized the importance of this cooperation:
“Indonesia and India share a strategic vision of peace, prosperity and stability in the Indo-Pacific region, and we are committed to strengthening cooperation for the benefit of our peoples and the region.”
Beyond diplomacy: partnership between people
Indonesia-India relations go far beyond government agreements.
Thousands of Indian professionals, entrepreneurs and students contribute to the Indonesian economy while Indonesian students pursue higher education in India through scholarship and exchange programs. Cultural festivals, yoga celebrations, Bollywood and Indonesian film screenings, literary cooperation and academic exchanges proceed to strengthen people-to-people bonds.
Shared culinary influences – from martabak, curries and biryani to the spices that after fueled global maritime trade – function every day reminders of a relationship shaped by centuries of interaction.
As each countries rejoice 75 years of diplomatic relations, cultural cooperation stays one in all the strongest foundations of their partnership.
Sailing towards a shared future
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Indonesia confirmed that Indonesia and India are usually not simply neighbors across the Indian Ocean – they’re long-standing partners with shared aspirations for regional peace, sustainable development and inclusive growth.
From the historic temples of Prambanan to high-level discussions in Jakarta, the visit demonstrated that Indonesia-India relations are equally rooted in shared heritage and forward-looking cooperation. Built on centuries of cultural exchanges and strengthened by expanding cooperation in defense, trade, technology, maritime security and heritage protection, the partnership continues to evolve as some of the necessary bilateral relationships within the Indo-Pacific region. As each nations navigate an increasingly interconnected world, their cooperation provides a compelling example of how history, trust and a shared vision can shape a more resilient and prosperous future for Southeast Asia and beyond.
