JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) 鈥� India’s Prime Minister and Indonesia鈥檚 President sealed a major defense deal on Tuesday, allowing Jakarta to acquire the Indian BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles.
The agreement, part of over a dozen, was reached during Modi鈥檚 three-day visit to , the first stop of his overseas visit to Indo-Pacific nations. The deal, reached a day after China , is expected to boost India鈥檚 defense exports and strategic cooperation between Jakarta and New Delhi.
Speaking alongside Modi after their talks at the Merdeka Palace, Indonesia鈥檚 main presidential office, Prabowo hailed Modi’s visit as a 鈥渉istoric milestone鈥� in bilateral ties, saying the two countries agreed to deepen cooperation across defense, security, trade, energy, health, education and cultural exchanges.
“We are two of the world鈥檚 largest democracies. Cooperation between our countries will certainly bring benefits to the region,鈥� Prabowo said.
Modi said ties between India and Indonesia have gained 鈥渘ew energy鈥� in recent years, with the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership established in 2018 continuing to grow.
鈥淲e are making significant strides in every field, including development, security, technology, culture and education,鈥� Modi said.
The Indian missiles are manufactured by BrahMos Aerospace Private Limited, a joint venture between India鈥檚 Defence Research and Development Organization and Russia’s NPO Mashinostroyeniya. It can be launched from land-based batteries, naval ships, submarines, and aircraft, at speeds up to three times the speed of sound.
Indonesia is the third foreign buyer of the missiles after the Philippines and Vietnam, local media said, as the BrahMos offers powerful coastal defense and anti-ship capabilities. Its high speed makes it difficult to intercept, and it can help deter hostile naval forces in strategic waterways, including areas around the South China Sea and key maritime chokepoints in Southeast Asia.
The deals reached Tuesday also included an agreement to enhance maritime security cooperation as the two nations share strategic interests along key shipping routes linking the Indian and Pacific oceans.
Modi arrived in Jakarta on Monday afternoon and 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.
Indian Ambassador to Indonesia Sandeep Chakravorty said Modi is also scheduled to address members of Indonesia鈥檚 Parliament Tuesday before attending an evening event with the Indian community in Indonesia. He said the visit reflects growing cooperation between two of Asia鈥檚 most influential democracies.
鈥淚n 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鈥檚 strength,鈥� Chakravorty told reporters ahead of the visit.
Modi is scheduled to travel to the ancient city of Yogyakarta Wednesday, where he may announce the start of an Indian-supported restoration project at the Hindu temple of Prambanan, one of Indonesia鈥檚 most important cultural heritage sites. The project follows an agreement reached during Prabowo鈥檚 visit to India.
Indonesia and India are member states of the major developing countries and emerging economies and .
Modi will travel to the same day to meet with his Australian counterpart
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