NE NEWS SERVICE
JAKARTA/NEW DELHI, JULY 7
India and Indonesia elevated their strategic partnership to a new high on Tuesday as Prime Minister Narendra Modi was conferred the ‘Bintang Adipurna of the Republic of Indonesia’—the country’s highest civilian honour—while simultaneously announcing that the Indian Institute of Management Bangalore (IIM Bangalore) will establish its first overseas campus in Indonesia, marking a major leap in India’s global education diplomacy.
The twin developments underscore the deepening relationship between the two Indo-Pacific partners, blending diplomatic recognition with a forward-looking partnership in higher education, innovation and human capital development.
- ‘Bintang Adipurna’ recognises Prime Minister’s role in elevating India-Indonesia ties to new strategic heights
- PM announces IIM Bangalore’s first overseas campus in Indonesia, expanding India’s global education footprint
- Singhasari SEZ campus to serve ASEAN youth with future-ready programmes in AI, climate, healthcare and digital transformation
- Twin milestones reinforce India’s emergence as a trusted strategic, educational and knowledge partner across the Indo-Pacific
- NEP 2020 vision gathers momentum as India’s premier institutions expand their global presence
The prestigious ‘Bintang Adipurna’ medal was presented to Prime Minister Modi by President Prabowo Subianto in recognition of his leadership and exceptional contribution to strengthening bilateral ties between India and Indonesia.
Saya menerima Bintang Adipurna Republik Indonesia ini dengan penuh kerendahan hati.
Kehormatan ini milik seluruh masyarakat India. Penghargaan ini mencerminkan kehangatan dan kasih sayang dari masyarakat Indonesia. Hal ini juga merupakan penghormatan terhadap hubungan bersejarah… pic.twitter.com/m0jqNCcTDB
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 7, 2026
Accepting the honour, Prime Minister Modi dedicated the award to the people of both nations.
“I dedicate this honour to the people of India and Indonesia and to the enduring civilisational ties between our two countries.”
The award reflects decades of expanding cooperation spanning trade, defence, connectivity, culture, maritime security and people-to-people engagement, while recognising India’s growing role as a key strategic partner in the Indo-Pacific.
IIM Bangalore to Establish First Overseas Campus
In another landmark announcement during the joint media interaction with President Prabowo Subianto, Prime Minister Modi revealed that IIM Bangalore will establish its first international campus at the Singhasari Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Malang, Indonesia.
Describing the initiative as an investment in the future of the region, the Prime Minister said:
“The IIM Bangalore campus in Indonesia will greatly benefit the youth of the entire ASEAN region.”
The proposed campus marks another milestone in the internationalisation of India’s higher education ecosystem under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which encourages premier Indian institutions to expand their global footprint.
It follows the successful establishment of overseas campuses by IIM Ahmedabad in Dubai, IIT Delhi in Abu Dhabi and IIT Madras in Zanzibar, reinforcing India’s emergence as a global provider of world-class, affordable education.
Preparing Future Leaders for a Changing World
The Indonesia campus will offer a curriculum designed around five critical pillars shaping the global economy:
- Global Supply Chains
- Digital Transformation
- Artificial Intelligence
- Climate and Sustainability
- Healthcare Management
The programmes will be enriched through interactions with leading industry executives, distinguished academicians and globally recognised thought leaders, equipping participants with skills relevant to rapidly evolving business and governance landscapes.
Two-Phase Expansion Plan
The campus will be rolled out in two phases.
Phase One will commence with Executive Education programmes aimed at senior executives, business leaders and public sector professionals.
Following successful implementation during the initial two years, Phase Two will introduce full-fledged degree programmes in management.
The initiative will be implemented through a Memorandum of Understanding between IIM Bangalore and PT Intelegensia Grahatama (PT IGT), the managing and development entity of the Singhasari SEZ.
While primarily catering to Indonesian students, the campus is expected to attract participants from across Southeast Asia. Students will also have opportunities for academic immersion at the Bengaluru campus, providing exposure to India’s vibrant innovation ecosystem, entrepreneurial landscape and industry networks.
The initiative is expected to deepen academic collaboration, strengthen leadership development across ASEAN and position Indonesia as a regional hub for high-quality management education.
Together, the conferment of Indonesia’s highest civilian honour on Prime Minister Modi and the announcement of IIM Bangalore’s first international campus signal a new chapter in India-Indonesia relations—one built not only on shared history and strategic interests, but also on a common commitment to knowledge, innovation and the development of future global leaders.
