India and Indonesia Forge Deeper Defence Ties in the Indian Ocean Region

The Indian Ocean Region has witnessed a significant development in defence cooperation between India and Indonesia, with the two nations holding the 12th Army-to-Army Staff Talks in Lucknow. The discussions, which took place from 11-13 August 2026, focused on enhancing expertise exchanges, deepening military-to-military ties, and expanding joint training.

The talks were a follow-up to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Indonesia last month, where he reaffirmed the commitment to a strong India-Indonesia strategic partnership. During the visit, PM Modi held talks with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, addressed the Indonesian Parliament, and attended an Indian community programme.

The two leaders reviewed the full spectrum of bilateral ties, including trade and investment, defence and security, maritime cooperation, energy, healthcare and pharma, space, critical minerals and rare earths, culture, tourism, and people-to-people exchanges. The discussions were a testament to the strong defence ties between the two nations, with a focus on enhancing regional cooperation and stability in the Indian Ocean Region.

One of the key areas of cooperation between India and Indonesia is maritime safety and security. The two nations have been working together to strengthen their naval capabilities, with a focus on enhancing interoperability and strategic coordination. The Partnership of Regional Armies for Growth and Transformation in IOR (PRAGATI) 2026 exercise, which was conducted in Meghalaya in May, was a significant step in this direction.

The exercise, which brought together over 400 troops from 12 friendly foreign countries, including Bhutan, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, the Philippines, Seychelles, Sri Lanka, and Vietnam, fostered camaraderie and enhanced operational synergy among the participating countries. The exercise was a testament to the strong defence ties between the two nations, with a focus on enhancing regional cooperation and stability in the Indian Ocean Region.

The exchange of several bilateral documents, including maritime safety and security, space cooperation, defence, steel supply chain, rare earths, health, agriculture, and science and technology, among others, was a significant development in the defence ties between India and Indonesia. The documents are a testament to the strong defence ties between the two nations, with a focus on enhancing regional cooperation and stability in the Indian Ocean Region.

The partnership between India and Indonesia is set to boost regional cooperation and stability in the Indian Ocean Region. With the two nations working together on several key areas, including maritime safety and security, space cooperation, and defence, the future of defence ties between India and Indonesia looks promising. As the two nations continue to strengthen their defence ties, the Indian Ocean Region is set to witness a significant development in regional cooperation and stability.

Strengthening Defence Ties between India and Indonesia

The defence ties between India and Indonesia have been strengthening in recent years, with a focus on enhancing regional cooperation and stability in the Indian Ocean Region. The partnership between the two nations is set to boost regional cooperation and stability in the Indian Ocean Region.

Enhancing Expertise Exchanges and Joint Training

The discussions between the Indian and Indonesian military delegations focused on enhancing expertise exchanges, deepening military-to-military ties, and expanding joint training. The talks were a testament to the strong defence ties between the two nations, with a focus on enhancing regional cooperation and stability in the Indian Ocean Region.

The Partnership of Regional Armies for Growth and Transformation in IOR (PRAGATI) 2026 Exercise

The Partnership of Regional Armies for Growth and Transformation in IOR (PRAGATI) 2026 exercise, which was conducted in Meghalaya in May, was a significant step in the defence ties between India and Indonesia. The exercise brought together over 400 troops from 12 friendly foreign countries, including Bhutan, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, the Philippines, Seychelles, Sri Lanka, and Vietnam.

The Future of Defence Ties between India and Indonesia

The partnership between India and Indonesia is set to boost regional cooperation and stability in the Indian Ocean Region. With the two nations working together on several key areas, including maritime safety and security, space cooperation, and defence, the future of defence ties between India and Indonesia looks promising.

Key Takeaways

• The defence ties between India and Indonesia have been strengthening in recent years, with a focus on enhancing regional cooperation and stability in the Indian Ocean Region.
• The discussions between the Indian and Indonesian military delegations focused on enhancing expertise exchanges, deepening military-to-military ties, and expanding joint training.
• The Partnership of Regional Armies for Growth and Transformation in IOR (PRAGATI) 2026 exercise was a significant step in the defence ties between India and Indonesia.
• The partnership between India and Indonesia is set to boost regional cooperation and stability in the Indian Ocean Region.
• With the two nations working together on several key areas, including maritime safety and security, space cooperation, and defence, the future of defence ties between India and Indonesia looks promising.