India-Indonesia: Emerging Strategic Confluence in the Indian Ocean Region

Pankaj K Jha

Archive data Joined IDSA August 2005 Expertise Southeast Asia Politics and Economy; Regional Organizations, Terrorism; Diaspora Studies, Defence Cooperation. Education PhD, Jawaharlal Nehru University (2003) Current Project Prospects of Defence… Continue reading India-Indonesia: Emerging Strategic Confluence in the Indian Ocean Region read more

India and Indonesia, the two major regional powers, have in the recent past initiated intimate bilateral relations. With globalization as a key driver, the two countries have reconfigured their relationship particularly in the economic and defence spheres. The signing of the strategic partnership in 2005 has been critical to strengthening of the bilateral ties. Security relations are complimentary. While India needs to safeguard its interests in Southeast Asia, Indonesia needs a benign power like India for its security concerns. Some issues of strategic importance for India vis-a-vis Indonesia are maritime security, energy security, and cooperation in counter-terrorism.