RI and India Deepen Strategic Partnership with Education and Cooperation Deals

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesia and India reaffirmed their commitment to amplifying the voice of the Global South in international forums while strengthening collaboration across multiple strategic sectors.

The consensus was reached during a bilateral meeting between President Prabowo Subianto and Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Merdeka Palace, Central Jakarta, on Tuesday, July 7, 2026.

President Prabowo emphasized that both nations support peaceful conflict resolution through dialogue, diplomacy, and adherence to international law.

“Prime Minister Modi and I exchanged views on various regional and global matters. We continue to support efforts to advance peace and stability worldwide, and to ensure the voices of the Global South are heard,” he said, as quoted by Antara.

On the Indo-Pacific, both nations pledged to uphold a free, open, transparent, and peaceful region anchored in international law, while maintaining ASEAN centrality.

Regarding the Middle East, President Prabowo emphasized that Indonesia and India share the same stance: conflicts must be resolved through peaceful means. “Both countries continue to support dialogue, diplomacy, and international law as the path to peaceful conflict resolution in the Middle East,” he said.

President Prabowo noted that the commitment reflects the determination of both countries to advance global peace through fair and inclusive multilateral diplomacy.

He also announced support for the establishment of campuses of the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) and the potential founding of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) in Indonesia.

President Prabowo expressed optimism that these initiatives, alongside increased opportunities for Indonesian students to study in India, would deliver tangible benefits for both nations.

The two countries further strengthened cultural diplomacy by designating 2026–2027 as the Tagore–Dewantara Year, commemorating the 1927 meeting between Indian education pioneer Rabindranath Tagore and Indonesian national education figure Ki Hajar Dewantara, who exchanged ideas on teaching methods.

He underscored that these initiatives reflect the deep civilizational ties between Indonesia and India. “We are confident these agreements can be implemented soon, bringing real benefits to the people of both countries,” President Prabowo said.

He noted that the commitment reflects the determination of both countries to advance global peace through fair and inclusive multilateral diplomacy.

As part of the state visit, President Prabowo Subianto and Prime Minister Narendra Modi witnessed the signing and announcement of 16 cooperation documents between Indonesia and India at Merdeka Palace.

The agreements span government institutions and private enterprises, covering areas such as space exploration, defense, health, agriculture, telecommunications, and education.

The signing ceremony began with the extension of the cooperation framework between Indonesia’s National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on peaceful space exploration, represented by BRIN Head Arif Satria and Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, before continuing with the announcement of other agreements.

Prime Minister Modi’s visit, scheduled for July 6–8, 2026, includes bilateral meetings, a state banquet, cultural engagements, and a visit to Prambanan Temple in Yogyakarta, underscoring the growing strategic partnership between Indonesia and India. ***