- Third Defence Ministers’ Dialogue in New Delhi Charts Deeper Military, Industrial & Maritime Cooperation
- Nations reaffirm commitment to a free, open & rules-based Indo-Pacific anchored in sovereignty and international law
- Stronger joint readiness, defence industry linkages, and multilateral coordination emerge as key pillars
NE DEFENCE BUREAU
NEW DELHI, NOV 27
India and Indonesia strengthened their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership as Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Indonesia’s Defence Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin co-chaired the 3rd India–Indonesia Defence Ministers’ Dialogue in New Delhi on November 27, 2025. The meeting built on the momentum generated by Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto’s participation as Chief Guest at India’s Republic Day 2025, where 352 Indonesian Armed Forces personnel took part in the national parade.
Shared Vision for the Indo-Pacific
Both nations reaffirmed the centrality of a free, open, peaceful, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific, guided by international law and respect for sovereignty.
With strong complementarity between the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP) and India’s Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI), Indonesia reiterated that India remains a key partner in regional peace and cooperation.
The two sides committed to enhancing collaboration through platforms such as the Indian Ocean Rim Association, especially during India’s chairmanship.
Key areas identified for intensified cooperation include:
- Maritime domain awareness
- Cyber resilience
- Joint operational readiness in the Indian Ocean
Boost to Defence Industry & Technology Partnership
Indonesia welcomed India’s proposal to set up a Joint Defence Industry Cooperation Committee, which will drive collaboration in:
- Technology transfer
- Joint R&D
- Certification harmonisation
- Defence supply-chain partnerships
The Dialogue reaffirmed the importance of existing frameworks, including the Defence Cooperation Agreement and the Joint Defence Cooperation Committee.
Military Engagements & Training
India and Indonesia noted strong progress in tri-service and bilateral military exercises such as:
- Super Garuda Shield
- Garuda Shakti
- Samudra Shakti
- MILAN
Both sides agreed to expand officer exchanges, joint training modules, and cooperation between defence educational institutions to enhance interoperability and professional military education.
Maritime Security & Multilateral Coordination
The Ministers highlighted the need for deeper coordination in the Indian Ocean Region, including enhanced cooperation within the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus) structure. Indonesia expressed strong support for India’s initiatives focused on maritime security, humanitarian assistance, and disaster relief.
Submarine Capability, Defence Medicine & Emerging Domains
Indonesia noted India’s valuable experience in submarine development, ecosystem creation, and supply-chain management, including the Scorpene-class programme.
The two sides also discussed cooperation in:
- Defence medical sciences
- Joint research in military pharmaceuticals
- Training and technology transfer to elevate military health resilience
Humanitarian Commitments & Peace Efforts
Both countries reiterated support for a just and lasting peace in Palestine and explored opportunities to collaborate in humanitarian relief, reconstruction, and peacekeeping. Indonesia expressed readiness to contribute peacekeeping personnel to Gaza under a UN mandate.
As a gesture of friendship, India announced the gifting of horses and a ceremonial carriage from the Indian Army’s Remount Veterinary Corps to Indonesia.
A Stronger Strategic Arc Ahead
The Ministers expressed satisfaction with the Dialogue’s outcomes and underlined the need to sustain high-level exchanges and deepen cooperation across defence, security, and emerging domains.
The strengthened partnership is expected to contribute significantly to regional stability, maritime security, and a rules-based Indo-Pacific order.
