Context:

• The Republic Day visit of Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto to India marks a pivotal moment in the bilateral relationship between the two nations.
• The evolving dynamics reflect aspirations for a broader and deeper strategic partnership, emphasizing mutual goals and regional collaboration.
• India and Indonesia must also identify areas of collaboration beyond the China factor - The Indo-Pacific is one such domain.

Growing Engagement Between India-Indonesia:

• Past diplomatic framework:
  • During the 2nd terms of Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, foreign ministers Retno Marsudi and S. Jaishankar established a solid diplomatic rapport through regular consultations.
  • Strengthened ties were further highlighted during their respective presidencies of the G20 in 2022 and 2023.
• Shared global aspirations: Both Prabowo and Modi seek to elevate their countries' global stature, showcasing ambitions that align on fostering strategic autonomy.

Key Opportunities for Collaboration Between India-Indonesia:

• BRICS and beyond:
  • Indonesia’s BRICS membership, granted in 2023, offers avenues for cooperation.
  • Leveraging the platform, the two nations can bring strategic weight to the bloc, focusing on common interests while navigating Indonesia's economic ties with China.
• Indo-Pacific focus:
  • Indonesia's evolution in embracing the Indo-Pacific concept, particularly its alignment with India’s Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI), offers potential for maritime collaboration.
  • Joint efforts under the IPOI’s maritime resources pillar can further regional objectives.
• Integrating IPOI and AOIP:
  • Under Jokowi, Indonesia played a leading role in crafting ASEAN’s Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP).
  • Indonesia has committed to supporting the maritime resources pillar under the IPOI.
  • By collaborating on projects within this pillar, the two nations can promote a pro-regional agenda beyond ASEAN, aligning with Prabowo’s vision of creating an “ASEAN Plus” policy.
• Trilateral partnerships:
  • Existing frameworks like the India-Indonesia-Australia trilateral offer opportunities for enhanced cooperation.
  • Prabowo’s visit opens the possibility of integrating Japan into this dynamic, creating a robust trilateral partnership for regional security and development.
• Regional architecture engagement:
  • India and Indonesia can collaborate more effectively in ASEAN-led mechanisms like the East Asia Summit (EAS) and ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF).
  • Expanding prior consultations can address divergent views, particularly on issues like Myanmar.
• BIMSTEC integration: Inviting Indonesia to join the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) can bolster its integration with India’s eastern neighborhood, enhancing regional cooperation.

Challenges and Strategic Considerations:

• Navigating the China factor: While Indonesia’s deep economic ties with China may influence its policies, Prabowo’s independent policy making offers space for cooperation with India beyond Beijing’s influence.
• New foreign minister dynamics: Building a rapport between India’s Jaishankar and Indonesia’s new foreign minister Sugiono is crucial to realizing a strong Modi-Prabowo partnership.

Conclusion:

• Prabowo Subianto’s visit to India presents an opportunity to redefine and strengthen India-Indonesia relations.
• Leveraging platforms like BRICS, IPOI, and trilateral partnerships, both nations can enhance strategic collaboration.
• Despite challenges, focusing on convergence areas can significantly impact the Indo-Pacific and global order, positioning both nations as key regional players.