India Secures Key Strategic and Trade Deals During PM Modi Talks In Indonesia

New Delhi, Jul 7 (KNN) India and Indonesia on Tuesday signed multiple agreements across sectors such as critical minerals, agriculture, maritime security, space, and digital payments, following talks between Prime Minister Modi and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto in Jakarta. 

The two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

Among the agreements signed was one on cooperation in the electoral process, including collaboration on specialised Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), between the Election Commission of India (ECI) and Indonesia's General Elections Commission (KPU). 

The two countries also concluded agreements covering agriculture and allied sectors, maritime safety and security, and space cooperation, along with pacts on disaster management, telecommunications technologies, and health workforce collaboration.

Defence and Maritime Cooperation

The two sides agreed to enhance collaboration in defence exchanges, disaster management and industrial cooperation, including cooperation on the BrahMos missile system and an air-to-air missile cooperation agreement. 

Their coast guards will work together to enhance maritime safety and security in the Indian Ocean, with both countries also deciding to deepen cooperation in the blue economy, port development and maritime trade.

Critical Minerals and Industry

India and Indonesia concluded an agreement to strengthen supply chain resilience in critical minerals and steel, alongside a strategic joint venture between the Steel Authority of India (SAIL) and PT Krakatau Steel for a stainless-steel slab manufacturing facility in Indonesia. 

A separate memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed between India's Non-Ferrous Materials Technology Development Centre (NFTDC), Midwest Ltd and PT Perminas for the development of rare earth magnets.

Technology, Space and Education

The two countries concluded an agreement to strengthen technology cooperation in areas including artificial intelligence, telecommunications and Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), and agreed to deepen collaboration between their start-up ecosystems. 

An overseas campus of the Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore, will be established at the Singhasari Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Indonesia, benefiting students across the ASEAN region.

Building on decades of space cooperation, the two sides extended their framework agreement on the exploration and use of outer space for peaceful purposes and took decisions to advance joint research, technology sharing and capacity building in the space sector.

Health, Agriculture and Welfare

An agreement concluded during the visit will facilitate greater access for Indonesians to India's medicines, alongside capacity-building support for Indonesia's doctors and healthcare professionals. 

India will supply 100 tonnes of high-quality DWR 162 wheat seeds to Indonesia to strengthen its food security, with both countries agreeing to share best practices in sustainable farming and agri-technology. 

Digital Payments and Commerce

India's Unified Payments Interface (UPI) will be integrated with Indonesia's payment system to enhance ease of doing business and travel between the two countries. 

Indonesia will also launch the Indonesia Open Network (ION), based on the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) architecture developed in India.

(KNN Bureau)