India and Indonesia Strengthen Defence Ties at 7th Joint Committee Meeting

India and Indonesia took a significant step forward in strengthening their defence cooperation as the 7th Joint Defence Cooperation Committee (JDCC)meetingwas held in New Delhi on Friday. The meeting, co-chaired by Indian Defence Secretary Giridhar Aramane and Indonesian Secretary General of the Ministry of Defence Air Marshal Donny Ermawan Taufanto, focused on expanding collaboration in key areas such as defence industry ties, maritime security, and multilateral cooperation.

Why this matters: The strengthening of defence ties between India and Indonesia has significant implications for regional security and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. As both countries continue to engage in high-level interactions and explore avenues for joint research and production, this partnership could shape the future of defence cooperation in the region.

During the meeting, both sides expressed satisfaction at the expanding scope of defence cooperation between the two countries. They reviewed the progress made on various bilateral defence initiatives, including those discussed in meetings of Working Groups on Defence Cooperation and Defence Industries Cooperation. The dignitaries identified means to enhance collaboration, particularly in the fields of defence industry ties, maritime security, and multilateral cooperation.

Air Marshal Donny Ermawan Taufanto, who is on a visit to India from May 02-04, 2024, engaged in several key interactions during his stay. He visited the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) headquarters in New Delhi and toured the TATA Advanced Systems and L&T Defence facilities in Pune. The Secretary General also held deliberations with Indian defence industry partners, including Bharat Forge, Mahindra Defence, and Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited, to discuss ways to enhance defence industrial capabilities through cooperation in research and joint production.

In addition to his industry engagements, Air Marshal Taufanto called on Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan during the visit. He also paid homage to the fallen heroes at the National War Memorial in New Delhi by laying a wreath.

The meeting between India and Indonesia comes at a time when the two countries are bound by a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and share a vision of the Indo-Pacific region. Indonesia is an important partner in India's Act East Policy and the Indo-Pacific region, with the partnership characterized by close cooperation in bilateral and multilateral arenas, including frequent high-level interactions.

The 7th India-Indonesia Joint Defence Cooperation Committee meeting marks a significant milestone in the deepening defence ties between the two nations. With a focus on enhancing collaboration in defence industry, maritime security, and multilateral cooperation, India and Indonesia are poised to further strengthen their strategic partnership in the Indo-Pacific region. As the two countries continue to engage in high-level interactions and explore avenues for joint research and production, the future of India-Indonesiadefence cooperationlooks promising.

Key Takeaways

• India and Indonesia strengthen defence cooperation through 7th JDCC meeting.
• Focus on expanding defence industry ties, maritime security, and multilateral cooperation.
• Indonesian Secretary General visits Indian defence facilities and meets with industry partners.
• Meeting marks a significant milestone in deepening defence ties between the two nations.
• Partnership to shape the future of defence cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region.