Prime Minister Narendra Modi will arrive in Indonesia on Monday for a three-day official visit aimed at reviewing bilateral relations and further strengthening the India-Indonesia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
The visit, scheduled from July 6 to 8, will be Prime Minister Modi’s first bilateral visit to Indonesia since the two countries elevated their ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership during his visit to Jakarta in May 2018.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), India and Indonesia share more than two millennia of cultural and commercial links, with historical exchanges spanning religion, trade and maritime connectivity. These ancient ties set the stage for modern diplomacy, highlighted in 1950 when Indonesia’s first president, Sukarno, attended India’s very first Republic Day as the chief guest. The two countries also went on to play a significant role in shaping the post-colonial global order through the Bandung Conference of 1955 and later the Non-Aligned Movement.
The ministry said bilateral relations have expanded significantly since India’s Look East Policy was launched in 1991 and further accelerated under the Act East Policy announced in 2014. India and Indonesia commemorated 75 years of diplomatic relations in 2024.
A major milestone in the relationship came during Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Jakarta in 2018, when both countries established a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and adopted a Shared Vision on Maritime Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, laying the foundation for enhanced cooperation across defence, maritime security, trade and connectivity.
According to the MEA, high-level political engagement has continued to provide momentum to bilateral ties. Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto paid a State Visit to India from January 23 to 26, 2025, during which he attended the 76th Republic Day celebrations as the Chief Guest. The visit coincided with the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
Continuing this tradition, a 352-member marching contingent of the Indonesian Armed Forces participated in the 2026 Republic Day Parade.
The two countries have maintained regular high-level exchanges over the past two years. Minister of State for External Affairs Pabitra Margherita attended the inauguration ceremony of Indonesian President Prabowo as the Prime Minister’s Special Envoy in October 2024, while an All-Party Parliamentary Delegation led by MP Sanjay Kumar Jha visited Jakarta in May 2025 as part of India’s diplomatic outreach under Operation Sindoor.
According to the ministry, several senior Indonesian leaders have also visited India in recent years. These include former Tourism and Creative Economy Minister Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno, Human Rights Minister Natalius Pigai, Culture Minister Fadli Zon, Defence Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin, Vice Minister of Communication and Digital Affairs Nezar Patria, and Foreign Minister Sugiono, reflecting the growing depth of bilateral engagement across diverse sectors.
The MEA said both countries have established a robust institutional framework to guide cooperation. The 8th India-Indonesia Joint Commission Meeting, co-chaired by External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar and Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono, was held in New Delhi on June 7, 2026. Other key mechanisms include the Foreign Office Consultations, India-Indonesia Security Dialogue, Defence Ministers’ Dialogue and the Joint Defence Cooperation Committee.
In addition, both sides engage through several sector-specific platforms, including the Biennial Trade Ministers’ Forum, Energy Forum, CEOs Forum, India-Indonesia Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Industry Forum, Infrastructure Forum and the Working Group on Trade and Investment.
The ministry added that cooperation also extends to counter-terrorism, narcotics control, science and technology, outer space, oil and gas, renewable energy, agriculture, civil aviation, coal, Andaman-Aceh connectivity, policy planning, consular affairs, interfaith dialogue and Track 1.5 dialogue.
