Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has met with Indonesia’s President Prabowo Subianto to discuss ways to strengthen strategic ties between their countries.
The two leaders held talks after a ceremony at the Merdeka palace, Indonesia’s main presidential office. During the bilateral meeting, Modi was accompanied by National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri.
The meeting underscored the growing importance of the India-Indonesia partnership in the Indo-Pacific, where both nations have increasingly worked together to promote regional stability, economic growth and secure maritime routes.
The visit comes after Prabowo attended India’s Republic Day celebrations as Chief guest last year.
Modi arrived in Indonesia’s capital, Jakarta, on Monday afternoon for a three-day visit to Southeast Asia’s largest economy. It was the first stop of his overseas visit to Indo Pacific nations, including Australia and New Zealand.
Modi received a warm welcome, with his plane escorted into Indonesian airspace by three fighter jets. He was greeted on the tarmac by Prabowo at Halim Perdanakusuma Air Force Base, underscoring the importance Jakarta places on its relationship with New Delhi. Indonesia and India are member states of the Group of 20 major developing countries and emerging economies, and of BRICS.
Discussions between the leaders focused on several key pillars, including defense and security, trade and investment, food security, energy security, critical minerals and capacity building in sectors such as health and education. India and Indonesia have maintained steadily growing commercial relations in recent years, with trade covering commodities such as coal, palm oil, petroleum products, pharmaceuticals, automobiles and agricultural goods.
Indonesia’s Foreign Minister Sugiono told reporters ahead of the visit that eight agreements and several memorandums of understanding are also expected to be announced during the visit. Sugiono, like many Indonesians uses a single name.
The talks also come as global supply chains continue to evolve, prompting countries to strengthen partnerships that can improve trade resilience and support economic diversification. Business leaders from both nations have called for greater investment in manufacturing, infrastructure and digital connectivity to unlock new opportunities for growth.
Sugiono said that Modi is expected to travel to the ancient city of Yogyakarta tomorrow, Wednesday, July 8, 2026, where he may announce the start of an Indian-supported restoration project at the Hindu temple of Prambanan, one of Indonesia’s most important cultural heritage sites.
The project follows an agreement reached during Prabowo’s visit to India. Modi will travel to Australia the same day to meet with his Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese.
Indian Ambassador to Indonesia Sandeep Chakravorty disclosed ahead of Modi’s visit that defense cooperation is expected to feature prominently during the talks. He said that Indonesia has expressed interest in acquiring India’s BrahMos supersonic cruise missile system and that discussions have reached an advanced stage.
Beyond defense procurement, Chakravorty said that both countries are expected to discuss broader maritime security cooperation as India and Indonesia share strategic interests along key shipping routes linking the Indian and Pacific oceans.
A planned launch of the Indonesia Open Network, a digital commerce platform inspired by India’s digital public infrastructure model, is also expected during Modi’s visit.
Modi Conferred With Indonesia’s Highest Medal Of Honour
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto officially conferred his nation’s highest civilian honor, the ‘Bintang Adipurna of the Republic of Indonesia’ (Star of Indonesia), upon Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The presentation of the prestigious medal took place during a high-profile state ceremony at the Istana Merdeka (Presidential Palace) in Jakarta. This marks a crowning achievement for PM Modi on the first leg of his high-stakes three-nation diplomatic tour across Southeast Asia and Oceania.
Prabowo stated that the decoration reflects India’s pivotal role as a stabilizing force in the Indo-Pacific and honors Modi’s personal leadership in transforming bilateral relations.
Indian Ambassador to Indonesia, Sandeep Chakravorty also said that Modi is also scheduled to address members of Indonesia’s Parliament today before attending an evening event with the Indian community in Indonesia.
He said that the visit reflects growing cooperation between two of Asia’s most influential democracies. “In the recent geopolitical context, closer ties between two leaders of the Global South are very essential so that we give the message to the world that we are together and we work for each other’s strength,” Chakravorty told reporters ahead of the visit.
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