07 Jul Modi Begins Three-Nation Tour: Indonesia First as India Strengthens Strategic Ties in the Indo-Pacific

 

QUICK REFERENCE • GS Paper: GS Paper II — International Relations • Core theme: India’s Act East Policy & Indo-Pacific Strategy • News peg: PM Modi’s 3-nation visit — Indonesia, Australia, New Zealand

 

Related UPSC Topics

Act East Policy	India–Indonesia Relations
Indo-Pacific Strategy	Maritime Security
ASEAN	SAGAR & MAHASAGAR Vision
Defence Diplomacy	Neighbourhood Policy

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has begun a three-nation visit covering Indonesia, Australia and New Zealand, with the first stop in Indonesia aimed at deepening strategic, economic and defence cooperation.

Discussions are expected to focus on maritime security, defence collaboration, trade, critical minerals, food security, digital public infrastructure and connectivity. Reports also indicate progress on defence cooperation, including discussions related to India’s BrahMos missile system.

India’s foreign policy has gradually shifted from merely “Looking East” to actively “Acting East.”

The Prime Minister’s visit to Indonesia is more than a diplomatic engagement — it reflects India’s intention to become a major strategic and maritime power in the Indo-Pacific.

Indonesia occupies one of the world’s most important maritime locations, controlling approaches to the Malacca Strait, through which nearly one-third of global trade and a substantial share of India’s energy imports pass.

A stronger India–Indonesia partnership therefore directly contributes to India’s economic security and strategic interests.

1. Maritime Security

Indonesia lies close to India’s Andaman & Nicobar Islands. Both countries share concerns regarding:

•     Freedom of navigation

•     Maritime piracy

•     Illegal fishing

•     Disaster management

•     China’s growing naval presence in the Indo-Pacific

Regular naval exercises and coordinated patrols have strengthened maritime cooperation.

2. Gateway to ASEAN

ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) consists of 10 Southeast Asian countries. Indonesia is ASEAN’s:

•     Largest economy

•     Most populous nation

•     Political leader

Good relations with Indonesia strengthen India’s engagement with the entire ASEAN region.

3. Economic Importance

Bilateral trade exceeds US$30 billion in recent years.

Indonesia is India’s largest supplier of:

•     Palm Oil

•     Coal

India exports:

•     Pharmaceuticals

•     Automobiles

•     Engineering Goods

•     IT Services

Both countries are exploring cooperation in:

•     Critical minerals

•     Green energy

•     Supply chain resilience

•     Digital economy

 

4. Defence Cooperation

The visit is expected to strengthen defence ties through cooperation in:

•     Maritime surveillance

•     Naval exercises

•     Defence manufacturing

•     Missile systems

•     Aerospace cooperation

Indonesia has shown interest in India’s indigenous defence technologies, including BrahMos-related cooperation.

India and Indonesia share civilizational links extending over two millennia.

KEY CULTURAL LINKS • Ramayana and Mahabharata traditions • Sanskrit influence on the Indonesian language • Bali’s Hindu heritage • Prambanan Temple • Buddhist connections

 

During the visit, India is also supporting restoration efforts at the historic Prambanan temple complex, underscoring cultural diplomacy.

Strengthening the Indo-Pacific Vision

India supports a:

•     Free

•     Open

•     Inclusive

•     Rules-based Indo-Pacific

This aligns with the ASEAN Outlook on Indo-Pacific, India’s Act East Policy, and the MAHASAGAR Vision.

Counterbalancing China’s Influence

China’s growing presence in the South China Sea, Indian Ocean Region, and maritime infrastructure has increased the importance of stronger partnerships with Southeast Asian countries.

Without adopting a confrontational approach, India seeks to expand strategic cooperation with like-minded partners.

Supply Chain Diversification

Both countries seek resilient supply chains for:

•     Critical minerals

•     Semiconductors

•     Energy

•     Manufacturing

Reducing excessive dependence on a single country has become a major strategic objective after recent global disruptions.

2014	Act East Policy launched — evolution from the earlier ‘Look East Policy’, aiming to strengthen political ties, strategic cooperation, economic engagement, cultural exchanges and connectivity with Southeast Asia and the Indo-Pacific.
2018	India–Indonesia elevate ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
Ongoing	SAGAR doctrine (Security and Growth for All in the Region) guides India’s maritime outreach.
Present	MAHASAGAR Vision expands SAGAR — ‘Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions’ — emphasizing broader regional cooperation in security, connectivity and sustainable development.
2026	PM Modi’s three-nation visit (Indonesia → Australia → New Zealand) reflects active implementation of Act East / MAHASAGAR priorities.

•     China’s strategic influence in the region

•     Trade imbalance between India and Indonesia

•     Slow implementation of connectivity projects

•     Regional geopolitical tensions

•     Different priorities within ASEAN member states

Topic	Fact
Capital of Indonesia	Jakarta
Currency	Indonesian Rupiah
Largest ASEAN Economy	Indonesia
Maritime Link	Malacca Strait
India’s Maritime Territory Nearby	Andaman & Nicobar Islands
Strategic Partnership	Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (2018)
Important Naval Exercise	Samudra Shakti
Coordinated Patrol	IND-INDO CORPAT

Keywords to Use in Answers

Maritime Security	Indo-Pacific
Blue Economy	Strategic Autonomy
Defence Diplomacy	Act East Policy
ASEAN Centrality	Supply Chain Resilience
Critical Minerals	Soft Power Diplomacy

Prelims

Questions can be asked on:

•     ASEAN

•     Indonesia

•     Malacca Strait

•     Act East Policy

•     Andaman & Nicobar Islands

•     Samudra Shakti Exercise

•     SAGAR/MAHASAGAR

•     Indo-Pacific

Mains

Relevant for GS-II:

•     India and Bilateral Relations

•     India’s Foreign Policy

•     ASEAN

•     Indo-Pacific

•     Maritime Security

•     Strategic Partnerships

Essay

Possible themes:

•     India as a Net Security Provider

•     Maritime Power and Economic Growth

•     India’s Rising Global Role

•     Indo-Pacific and the Future of Asia

India should:

•     Expand maritime cooperation

•     Strengthen defence partnerships

•     Improve connectivity with ASEAN

•     Increase trade and investment

•     Enhance cultural diplomacy

•     Collaborate on emerging technologies

•     Build resilient supply chains

•     Promote a free and inclusive Indo-Pacific

Q1.

With reference to Indonesia, consider the following statements:

1. India shares a maritime boundary with Indonesia through the Andaman Sea.

2. Indonesia is the largest economy in ASEAN.

3. The Malacca Strait is strategically important for India’s energy security.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A. 1 only

B. 2 and 3 only

C. 1 and 3 only

D. 1, 2 and 3

✔ Answer: D

Q2.

The Act East Policy primarily aims to:

A. Strengthen relations with Central Asian countries.

B. Enhance India’s engagement with Southeast Asia and the Indo-Pacific.

C. Counter piracy in the Gulf of Aden only.

D. Promote trade exclusively with BRICS nations.

✔ Answer: B

MAINS PRACTICE QUESTION • “Indonesia occupies a central place in India’s Indo-Pacific strategy. Discuss the strategic, economic and maritime significance of India–Indonesia relations in the context of India’s Act East Policy.” (15 Marks)