Through many decades India and Indonesia have progressed into a strong bilateral relationship based on jointly-held historical links and mutual cultural exchange as well as prospected partnership. Between the time of Indonesia's first president Sukarno and its current leader Prabowo Subianto the relationship underwent multiple changes that align with worldwide geopolitical developments.
Historical Foundations
India and Indonesia share a long historical relationship because Buddhism and Hinduism spread through ancient times from India to islands across the Indonesian archipelago. Indian culture has left its mark through these two famous historical landmarks together with incarnations of wayang kulit (Shadow Puppetry) and gamelan music expression. Through cultural exchange activities both nations developed an outstanding relationship which continues to this day.
Sukarno's Vision
As the key architect of modern Indonesia, Sukarno took a central part in forming relations between India and Indonesia during the pioneering years. During his time he dedicated himself to stopping imperialism through his role as anti-colonialism leader while also fighting to create a coalition of newly independent nations. Bilateral connections gained additional strength because of the deep friendship that developed between Sukarno and Jawaharlal Nehru who served as India's first Prime Minister. The Bandung Conference of 1955 operated as a historic event co-led by Indonesia and India to assemble leaders across Asia and Africa for solidarity parallel to cooperation.
Cold War Era
Patterns showed changing dynamics in the political relations between India and Indonesia when both powers chose distinct power blocs during the Cold War era. In sharp contrast with India's stance of non-alignment the Indonesia government led by Suharto chose cooperation with Western powers. In the midst of diverse positions between them economic interactions and cultural exchanges continued to boost both nations. Bilateral cooperation received renewed attention when India and Indonesia formed their Joint Commission during 1981.
Post-Cold War Period
When the Cold War ended and the era of globalization started both the nations India and Indonesia discovered fresh potential to strengthen their bilateral relationship. India and Indonesia started economic globalizations while making intense efforts to boost trade and investment connections. The India-Indonesia Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) which was signed in 2005 set history moving by establishing conditions for expanded economic bilateral relationships. Under joint leadership the countries collaborated through the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and East Asia Summit (EAS) regional institutions.
Strategic Partnership
Strategic partnership between India and Indonesia gained momentum because of mutual interests regarding regional security together with economic development needs. Chinese superpower elevation in the Indo-Pacific area drove both nations toward enhanced maritime Defense cooperation with one another. The India-Indonesia Defense Cooperation Agreement from 2018 established both countries' dedication to endorse military cooperation along with conducting joint military exercises.
Prabowo Subianto's Role
Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto has taken a fundamental position in developing the strategic relationship between India and Indonesia. India-Indonesia shared Defense cooperation has deepened during his period while concentrating on counter-terrorism efforts with cyber-security and maritime security enhancement. Since Prabowo Subianto established face-to-face engagements with Indian Defense officials bilateral ties have gained additional strength.
Cultural Diplomacy
The exchange of cultural elements remains the foundation which supports India-Indonesia political relations. Indian and Indonesian people share enduring cultural affinities which become evident through multiple annual events celebrating Yoga day in Indonesia together with Bollywood hit popularity and cultural performance exchanges. Thanks to educational exchanges and scholarship programs there has been an increased flow of direct interactions between the public masses of both nations which establishes deep bonds by promoting mutual respect and positive feelings.
Economic Cooperation
Both nations continue to build their economic cooperation as a primary foundation for their partnership. The bilateral countries established specific sectors including infrastructure energy and technology to serve as their main targeted areas for cooperation. Through the India-Indonesia Business Forum both economic leaders can now gain opportunities for trade enhancement combined with investment exploration. Bilateral trade has experienced gradual growth as India and Indonesia work together toward a $50 billion trade milestone during 2025.
Current India-Indonesia Relations: A Strategic Partnership in the Making
Both India and Indonesia have built constantly improving diplomatic connections throughout several years as they represent Asia's biggest democratic systems. These two nations maintain compound relations involving political ties and economic relations and cultural bonds in addition to strategic undertakings. The strategic collaboration between the nations has intensified since recent years due to joint goals that include Defense sector coordination as well as economic advancement and cultural exchange.
Political and Diplomatic Engagement
The diplomatic bond between India and Indonesia manifests through sustained politician-to-politician meetings and diplomatic meetings. In January 2025 the Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto headed to India as the ceremonial guest for the Republic day. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and senior officials from India met extensively with President Prabowo Subianto during his official visit. Bilateral efforts to support increased cooperation across Defense and trade together with maritime security emerged front and center through discussions between leaders from both nations.
Defense and Security Cooperation
The India-Indonesia partnership preserves Defense and security cooperation as its foundational backbone. Defense collaborations between the two nations received formal recognition through multiple agreements starting with a 1951 commitment and continuing through 2001 and 2018. The Armies of both nations conduct joint exercises under Garuda Shakti as Army joint services and Navy guards hold their own training sessions under Samudra Shakti alongside IND-INDO CORPAT coercive naval patrols which boost military capabilities. The new Defense Cooperation Agreement between India and Indonesia confirms their strategic decision to expand military alliance.
Economic and Trade Relations
Economic cooperation function as an essential part of India-Indonesia partnership development. Trade volume growth between India and Indonesia has followed an upward trend and expects to reach approximately $30 billion for the 2023-24 fiscal years. In the ASEAN region India stands as Indonesia's second-largest trade partner through exports of coal and crude palm oil along with rubber but imports refined petroleum with telecommunications equipment and agricultural commodities. While exploring mutual opportunities both nations choose to focus on infrastructure development alongside energy and technological advancements through the India-Indonesia Business Forum.
Maritime and Cyber Security
The both India and Indonesia work closely to secure the maritime domain as part of their essential mutual collaboration. The governments of India and Indonesia have executed two agreements to secure maritime areas and enhance security through measures against crime while developing rescue capabilities and building capacity. These Indo-Pacific Ocean powers identified their shared geographical position for promoting freedom of navigation while supporting international laws. Much like cyber security relationships India has teamed up with Indonesia to fight these new digital-age threats.
Cultural and Educational Collaboration
India-Indonesia relations maintain an active use of cultural diplomacy due to its critical importance. Throughout the year Indonesians express their commitment to supporting the International Day of Yoga celebration while embracing Bollywood movies and cultural troupe performances which reflect a permanent cultural link between the two nations. Through educational exchange programs and scholarship initiatives both nations have developed stronger human connections that build mutual friendship and increased cultural understanding. Through its centres in both Jakarta and Bali India provides facilities that expand knowledge of yoga alongside classical dance and music.
Future Prospects
Growth in India-Indonesia relations shows promise since governments of both nations strive to enhance their strategic alliance. Suspending Indonesia's admission into the BRICS bloc underscores the rising value of their partnership as India gave its endorsement of this membership. The alliances between these neighbouring powers demonstrate a fundamental capability to mould the emerging geopolitical path of the Indo-Pacific region during the current century.
India-Indonesia Collaboration on International Forums
Two pivotal Indo-Pacific nations have collaborated through institutional networks to face common problems while working together toward mutual advantages. Their comprehensive collaboration includes participation across political, economic, security and environmental domains. Both governments collaborate because they share a strategic goal to enhance regional stability and create sustainable societal development through complementary international frameworks.
Political and Diplomatic Engagements
Through joint endorsement India and Indonesia maintain continuous support for each other's policies by attending the United Nations along with other international bodies. The two nations maintain their dedication toward international legal principles combined with multilateral diplomacy and UN Charter commitment. Through their collaboration the countries support multiple resolutions alongside initiatives dedicated to advancing peace protection and human rights.
India along with Indonesia leads international efforts to reform the UN Security Council so it better represents modern international realities. These countries agree that transformative changes must occur inside the UN decision-making space because developing countries need better representation and clearer transparency systems.
Economic Cooperation in Multilateral Platforms
Economic partners India and Indonesia maintain an active presence on multilateral boards that include the G20 together with ASEAN and the East Asia Summit (EAS). As G20 members these countries collaborate to resolve worldwide economic obstacles together with implementing sustainable development initiatives and enhancing financial system stability. Through collaboration on trade facilitation and digital economy projects and infrastructure development both nations drive economic growth and combat poverty.
As leading members of the ASEAN framework India and Indonesia play a central role in developing regional economic integration. The two nations actively support the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) project to develop Southeast Asia into a highly integrated prosperous area. Increased trade and investment between Indian and ASEAN member states have resulted from their joint participation in ASEAN-led mechanisms particularly through the ASEAN-India Free Trade Area (AIFTA).
Security Cooperation and Maritime Engagements
Through different international platforms, India together with Indonesia has evolved their mutual security commitments. Through their participation in both ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) and Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) both countries collaborate actively to fight common security risks like maritime piracy and terrorism and transnational criminal activity. Together they organize military drills as well as educational programs that strengthen regional stability and security.
Besides their shared geographical benefits as Indo-Pacific nations both India and Indonesia recognize maritime security as a vital sphere for collaboration. These countries are dedicated to maintaining open maritime navigation and international maritime law compliance and strengthening their relationships through the Indian Ocean region. The nations work together through platforms like the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS) and Western Pacific Naval Symposium (WPNS) to develop partnerships for maritime security enhancement while building mutual trust.
Environmental initiatives
International collaboration between India and Indonesia focuses predominantly on environmental sustainability together with climate change initiatives. The Paris Agreement contains signatories from both nations while they actively participate in worldwide climate change reduction initiatives. Through their participation in United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) they work to promote fair climate actions and climate funding access for developing nations.
India and Indonesia together launch bilateral programs which focus on renewable energy development in addition to sustainable farming techniques and biodiversity protection. Through the International Solar Alliance (ISA) they work together to use solar power for clean energy development while lessening their reliance on fossil fuels.