This article covers the historical ties between India and Indonesia, the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, recent high-level visits and the dialogue mechanisms between the two governments. It is based on the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) bilateral brief on India-Indonesia relations, dated as on 17 June 2026.

Historical ties

According to the MEA brief of June 2026, India and Indonesia share two-millennia old close cultural and commercial contacts. After independence, the two countries became chief votaries of the independence of Asian and African countries. The brief states that this spirit led to the Bandung Conference of 1955 and later to the formation of the Non-Aligned Movement in 1961.

The brief records a rapid development of bilateral relations in the political, security, defence, commercial and cultural fields since India adopted its "Look East Policy" in 1991 and upgraded it to "Act East" in 2014. India and Indonesia commemorated 75 years of the establishment of diplomatic relations in 2024.

Comprehensive Strategic Partnership

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi visited Jakarta in 2018. During the visit, the two countries signed a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and welcomed the adoption of the "Shared Vision on Maritime Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific between India and Indonesia".

State Visit of President Prabowo Subianto

At the invitation of Prime Minister Modi, the President of Indonesia, H.E. Mr. Prabowo Subianto, paid a State Visit to India from 23-26 January 2025. He attended the celebrations of the 76th Republic Day of India as Chief Guest.

This was President Prabowo's first visit to India in his capacity as President. It coincided with the 75th Anniversary of India-Indonesia Diplomatic Relations.

Other recent visits

Visits from India listed in the brief include:

  • Minister of State for External Affairs Shri Pabitra Margherita visited Jakarta as Special Envoy of the Prime Minister for the inauguration ceremony of the President and Vice-President of Indonesia on 20 October 2024.
  • An All-Party Parliamentary Delegation led by MP Mr. Sanjay Kumar Jha visited Jakarta from 28-31 May 2025 as part of India's diplomatic outreach on Operation Sindoor. It included senior serving Members of Parliament, senior political figures and former diplomats.
  • Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi undertook a State Visit to Indonesia from 6-8 July 2026 at the invitation of President Prabowo Subianto.

Visits from Indonesia listed in the brief include:

  • Mr. Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno, then Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy, attended the Raisina Dialogue on 23 February 2024.
  • Human Rights Minister Natalius Pigai visited India on 27 August 2025 to deepen cooperation and study India's human rights practices.
  • Mr. Nezar Patria, Vice Minister of Communication and Digital Affairs, visited India in February to attend the Global AI Summit 2026 in New Delhi.
  • Foreign Minister Sugiono visited India from 13-15 May 2026 to take part in the BRICS FMM in New Delhi.

Visits by defence ministers and service chiefs are described in the development and cooperation article of this guide.

Joint Commission Meeting

The Joint Commission Meeting (JCM) was set up in 2001 at the level of Foreign Ministers. The 7th JCM was held in New Delhi on 17 June 2022, co-chaired by External Affairs Minister Dr. S Jaishankar and the then Foreign Minister of Indonesia, Ms. Retno Marsudi.

External Affairs Minister Jaishankar and Foreign Minister Sugiono co-chaired the 8th India-Indonesia Joint Commission Meeting in New Delhi on 7 June 2026.

Foreign Office Consultations and Security Dialogue

The 8th Foreign Office Consultations took place in New Delhi on 26 September 2024.

Shri Ajit Doval co-chaired the 2nd India-Indonesia Security Dialogue (IISD) with Dr. Mohammad Mahfud, former Coordinating Minister of Political, Legal and Security Affairs, in Indonesia on 17 March 2022.

Other dialogues

The brief lists a number of Joint Working Groups, consultations and dialogues between the two countries. Those on political and security matters are:

  • Counter Terrorism
  • Narcotics
  • Policy Planning Dialogue
  • India-Indonesia Track 1.5 Dialogue

Mechanisms on defence, trade, energy, science, culture and consular matters are covered in the other articles of this guide.