India, Indonesia expand space partnership with focus on research and capacity building

India and Indonesia have agreed to deepen cooperation in the space sector, with both countries announcing plans to expand joint research, technology sharing and capacity building as part of their growing Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

The announcement was made during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Indonesia after delegation-level and bilateral talks with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto.

In a joint statement, the two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation in emerging technologies, with space collaboration emerging as one of the key outcomes of the visit.

"Our cooperation in the space sector has been built on decades of trust and partnership. Building on this strong foundation, we have taken important decisions today to advance joint research, technology sharing, and capacity building in the space sector," the joint statement said.

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Focus on research and technology

The two countries said the expanded partnership will focus on advancing scientific research, sharing technological expertise and developing human resources in the space sector.

Capacity building is expected to include training, knowledge exchange and institutional cooperation, helping Indonesia enhance its capabilities in space science and technology while drawing on India's experience in the sector.

Beyond space, the leaders also announced an agreement aimed at strengthening technology cooperation between the youth of the two countries.

The initiative will promote collaboration in areas such as artificial intelligence, telecommunications and Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI). India and Indonesia also agreed to deepen engagement between their start-up ecosystems to encourage innovation and support technology-driven entrepreneurship.

Part of a broader strategic partnership

The announcement comes as India and Indonesia continue to expand their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership across multiple sectors.

During PM Modi's visit, the two sides signed several agreements covering defence, maritime security, healthcare, agriculture, telecommunications, research and critical minerals. The visit also produced key understandings on defence cooperation, including agreements related to the BrahMos missile system.

The broad range of agreements highlights the growing strategic convergence between the two Indo-Pacific partners as they seek to strengthen cooperation in both traditional and emerging sectors.

The latest decisions on space cooperation add another pillar to the bilateral partnership, reflecting both countries' intention to expand collaboration beyond conventional areas into advanced technologies.