PM Modi's Indonesia visit crucial to India's Indo-Pacific strategy, say experts

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Indonesia comes at a time when the Indo-Pacific has emerged as the centre of global strategic competition. With growing maritime tensions in the South China Sea, intensifying geopolitical rivalry and increasing emphasis on resilient supply chains, New Delhi is using its "Act East" policy to deepen engagement with one of Southeast Asia's most influential powers.

Modi's Indonesia leg, the first stop of his three-nation tour covering Australia and New Zealand, reflects India's effort to strengthen security, economic and technological partnerships across the Indo-Pacific.

"India and Indonesia occupy pivotal geographic positions at either end of the Indian Ocean and both have an interest in preserving a stable, inclusive and rules-based regional order," Fitriani, senior analyst with the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, told PTI over an email.

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Hadza Min Fadhli Robby, associate professor at Islamic University of Indonesia, said: "A stable and secure regional order will help the Indian economy to thrive amidst possible instability in both West Asia and the South China Sea."

The visit "comes at a time when the Indo-Pacific is experiencing growing geopolitical competition, increasing concern over maritime security, and renewed attention to supply chain resilience," said Fitriani, who identifies herself by first name.

Fitrani further said the trip carries forward "the momentum” generated by Subianto's visit to New Delhi last year, when he was chief guest at India's Republic Day celebrations.

"The fact that Indonesia is the first stop of Prime Minister Modi's (latest) Indo-Pacific tour demonstrates the importance New Delhi attaches to Jakarta within its Act East and Indo-Pacific strategies," she added.

Robby looked at the visit through the lens of wider geopolitical developments.

"PM Modi's visit to Indonesia is significant in light of the turbulent dynamics in both the Indo-Pacific regional order and the global order. Both countries are known for their commitment to strengthening multilateralism on both regional and global platforms," Robby told PTI over an email, pointing to joint military training and bilateral consultations as proof of that commitment.

On maritime connectivity, Robby highlighted the long-stalled Sabang-Nicobar corridor which would connect Indonesia's Sabang Port with India's Nicobar Islands.

"There have been talks regarding the establishment of the Sabang-Nicobar corridor, but these have not come to fruition yet due to technical issues and a lack of political will. Perhaps this is the right time to restart such talks and renew their commitment," he said.

Security cooperation moves to the forefront

While trade and cultural ties have traditionally anchored India-Indonesia relations, defence cooperation has rapidly become the defining pillar of the partnership. Officials expect discussions to focus on maritime security, defence manufacturing, digital cooperation and supply chain resilience, reflecting the changing security environment in the region.

Among the most closely watched developments is the possibility of finalising a long-pending agreement for the export of the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile to Indonesia. If concluded, Indonesia would become another Southeast Asian nation to induct the Indian-Russian missile system, significantly expanding India's defence footprint in the region.

The deal would also reinforce New Delhi's ambition of becoming a major defence exporter while strengthening deterrence capabilities among partners facing growing maritime security challenges.

Beyond missiles, both countries are expected to discuss collaboration on Scorpene-class submarines and broader naval cooperation. Such engagements complement India's increasing focus on defence diplomacy, capacity building and indigenous defence exports under the "Make in India" initiative.

For New Delhi, Indonesia's strategic location near the Malacca Strait—through which a substantial share of global energy shipments passes—makes maritime cooperation particularly valuable. Enhanced coordination between the two navies also aligns with India's Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR) vision and its broader Indo-Pacific strategy.

Beyond defence: Building resilient economic partnerships

The strategic partnership extends well beyond military cooperation. Indonesia has become one of India's most important economic partners in Asean, with bilateral engagement increasingly centred on critical minerals, energy security, digital infrastructure and resilient supply chains.

Indonesia's vast reserves of nickel, a key component in electric vehicle batteries, have acquired enormous strategic importance as countries seek to diversify supply chains for clean energy technologies.

Trade, investment and connectivity are also expected to feature prominently during the visit. As global supply chains undergo realignment amid geopolitical uncertainty, India is seeking trusted partners across Southeast Asia to reduce excessive dependence on any single market while expanding manufacturing and technology cooperation.

Equally significant is the diplomatic signalling behind the visit. Coming after renewed engagement with Indian Ocean partners such as Mauritius, Seychelles and Japan, the Indonesia visit demonstrates New Delhi's intent to balance its western and eastern maritime priorities. Officials have described the current phase as a renewed focus on India's eastern maritime neighbourhood under the Act East policy.

The visit also reaffirms India's commitment to Asean centrality at a time when competing geopolitical interests increasingly shape the Indo-Pacific. Rather than pursuing bloc politics, New Delhi continues to position itself as a partner supporting regional stability, economic resilience and strategic autonomy.

As Indo-Pacific dynamics continue to evolve, Modi's Indonesia visit represents more than another bilateral engagement. It reflects India's broader ambition to emerge as a leading security, economic and diplomatic stakeholder in the region. Whether through defence exports, maritime cooperation, critical mineral partnerships or stronger supply chains, New Delhi is steadily expanding its strategic footprint eastward—one partnership at a time.

Indonesia occupies a unique place in India's regional calculus. As Southeast Asia's largest economy, the world's fourth-most populous nation and a key member of Asean, Jakarta sits astride some of the world's busiest maritime trade routes.

For India, stronger ties with Indonesia are not only about bilateral relations but also about reinforcing a stable, rules-based Indo-Pacific where freedom of navigation and maritime security remain central concerns.

With inputs from agencies