'Expect good news': BrahMos deal likely to advance during PM Modi’s Indonesia visit

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's two-day visit to Indonesia is set to focus on expanding cooperation across key sectors, with both countries expected to hold wide-ranging discussions on defence, trade, maritime security and critical minerals. The proposed BrahMos missile deal is likely to edge closer to completion, while several agreements are anticipated to be signed to further strengthen the India-Indonesia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

In the first leg of his three-nation tour, PM Modi arrived in Jakarta on July 6 to strengthen India's Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with Indonesia.

India's Ambassador to Indonesia, Sandeep Chakravorty, said negotiations on Indonesia's acquisition of the BrahMos missile system have reached an advanced stage and expressed optimism that the prime minister's visit would bring "good news" on the matter.

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“We are hopeful of a positive outcome and expect good news," he said in an exclusive telephonic interview with News18.

Extensive talks planned during two-day visit

“This is Prime Minister Modi’s fourth visit to Indonesia and his second bilateral visit since 2018. He has a packed two-day schedule and will hold extensive talks with the Indonesian President. We expect several concrete outcomes from the visit," the Ambassador said.

According to Ambassador Chakravorty, the two leaders will discuss a wide range of issues, including defence cooperation and maritime security, trade and investment, critical minerals, education and healthcare, as well as people-to-people ties.

Several agreements are expected to be signed during the visit, further strengthening the strategic partnership between India and Indonesia.

The Ambassador said cooperation in the critical minerals sector is also expected to receive a significant boost during the visit.

While noting China's strong presence in Indonesia's critical minerals industry, he said Indonesia follows an open foreign policy that welcomes partnerships with all countries. He added that an announcement related to critical minerals is also expected during Prime Minister Modi's visit.

Indian diaspora welcomes Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was accorded a ceremonial welcome by Indonesia on Monday as an F-16 and a Sukhoi-30 fighter jet escorted his aircraft after it entered Indonesian airspace en route to Jakarta. A video shared by the Prime Minister on Instagram captured the two fighter jets flying alongside his aircraft under clear skies before its arrival in the Indonesian capital.

Speaking about the Indian community event, Ambassador Chakravorty said that although the Indian diaspora in Indonesia is smaller than the one in Australia, its enthusiasm remains equally strong.

Around 4,000 members of the Indian community are expected to welcome Prime Minister Modi at the event scheduled for 7:00 pm local time on July 7 (5:30 pm IST).

The visit is expected to produce key outcomes across defence, trade, critical minerals and broader strategic cooperation, giving fresh momentum to the India-Indonesia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.