India and Indonesia on Thursday held the third India–Indonesia Defence Ministers’ Dialogue in New Delhi, co-chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Indonesian Defence Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin. The meeting reaffirmed the two countries’ commitment to strengthening their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and advancing defence cooperation across multiple sectors.
Both Ministers recalled Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto’s visit to India as the Chief Guest at the Republic Day Parade earlier this year, noting that the discussions between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Subianto had given fresh momentum to bilateral ties. They also highlighted the participation of 352 personnel from the Indonesian Armed Forces in the Republic Day celebrations.
India and Indonesia reiterated the importance of a free, open, peaceful and prosperous Indo-Pacific, emphasising adherence to international law and respect for sovereignty. Noting the shared principles in the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific and India’s Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative, Indonesia underlined that India remains a key partner in advancing regional peace and cooperation.
Both sides also agreed to increase engagement within regional and multilateral frameworks, including the Indian Ocean Rim Association, where India currently serves as chair. The Ministers committed to enhancing cooperation in maritime domain awareness, cyber resilience and joint operational preparedness.
Indonesia welcomed India’s proposal to establish a Joint Defence Industry Cooperation Committee aimed at improving collaboration in technology transfer, joint R&D, certification processes and supply-chain linkages. The Ministers reaffirmed the value of existing mechanisms such as the Defence Cooperation Agreement and the Joint Defence Cooperation Committee.
Both sides reviewed progress in ongoing and planned military-to-military engagements, including joint exercises such as Super Garuda Shield, Garuda Shakti, Samudra Shakti and MILAN. They agreed to continue officer exchanges, joint training programmes and visits to defence education institutions to strengthen interoperability and knowledge sharing.
The Ministers emphasised the importance of maritime security cooperation, particularly in the Indian Ocean. Indonesia expressed support for India’s initiatives and highlighted cooperation within ASEAN-led mechanisms, including the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus.
Indonesia took note of India’s experience in submarine development and supply-chain management, including the Scorpene-class programme, calling it relevant for its future requirements. Discussions also covered cooperation in defence medicine and pharmaceuticals through joint research, technology sharing and training.
Both countries reiterated their support for efforts toward a lasting peace in Palestine and discussed possibilities for cooperation in humanitarian assistance and post-conflict reconstruction. Indonesia reaffirmed its readiness to deploy peacekeeping personnel to Gaza under a UN mandate.
India also announced that it would gift horses and a ceremonial carriage to Indonesia from the Indian Army’s Remount Veterinary Corps.
The two Ministers expressed satisfaction with the outcomes of the dialogue and agreed to continue high-level exchanges and strengthen cooperation across defence and security sectors. They said the measures agreed upon would contribute to peace, stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region.