Modi in Jakarta: India, Indonesia ink pacts for EVM collaboration, election cooperation

India and Indonesia on Tuesday signed more than 10 agreements to expand cooperation across key strategic sectors, including electoral processes, critical minerals, agriculture, maritime security, space and digital payments, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi held bilateral talks with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto in Jakarta. The two leaders also reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the India-Indonesia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

India and Indonesia signed an agreement on cooperation in the electoral process, including collaboration on special Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs).

The two countries also concluded agreements covering agriculture, maritime security and the space sector.

Officials said more than 10 agreements had been signed, with the exact number expected to be announced later.

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Critical minerals and supply chains take centre stage

Addressing the media in Jakarta, PM Modi highlighted the importance of resilient supply chains in emerging technologies.

"In today's era, supply chain resilience in technology is of great importance. A significant agreement has also been reached to further strengthen supply chains in the critical minerals and steel sectors. New partnerships are being forged between our companies regarding stainless steel and rare-earth magnets," he said.

The PM also announced progress on digital payments cooperation between the two countries.

"We are delighted that India’s UPI is set to be integrated with Indonesia’s payment system. This will boost both the ease of doing business and the ease of travel."

Shared cultural heritage to be celebrated

The Prime Minister said he would jointly launch the Prambanan Temple conservation project in Yogyakarta with President Prabowo on Wednesday.

"Tomorrow I will have the privilege of launching the conservation project for the Prambanan Temple in Yogyakarta alongside President Prabowo. More than a thousand years old, the Prambanan Temple stands as a symbol of the shared cultural heritage of India and Indonesia. Both our nations will celebrate the centenary of Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore’s historic visit to Indonesia with great enthusiasm. The great educationist and Indonesia’s first Minister of Education, Dewantara-ji, played a pivotal role in the country's development journey. His ideas on education were deeply influenced by the philosophy of Gurudev Tagore. Therefore, India and Indonesia will observe this centenary year as the 'Tagore-Dewantara Year of Cultural and Educational Diplomacy."

Three-nation tour under way

Prime Minister Modi is on a three-nation tour covering Indonesia, Australia and New Zealand to strengthen cooperation in security, trade, technology and the Indo-Pacific.

Indonesia is the first stop of the visit, where the PM said discussions with President Prabowo would focus on giving fresh momentum to the India-Indonesia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership across multiple sectors.

The visit is intended to reinforce India's Act East Policy, Mahasagar vision and its commitment to a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific.

In a special gesture, President Prabowo personally received Modi at the airport alongside four Indonesian ministers. The Prime Minister was accorded a traditional ceremonial welcome and a Guard of Honour and escorted by Indonesian Air Force fighter jets after entering the country's airspace.

This marks PM Modi's first bilateral visit to Indonesia since relations were elevated to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2018.

Following his Indonesia visit, Modi will travel to Melbourne at the invitation of Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese before concluding the tour in Auckland at the invitation of New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon.