VIF-Habibie Centre Joint Seminar

On November 27, 2024 the Vivekananda International Foundation in collaboration with the Habibi Center, hosted a commemorative Indonesia joint seminar, celebrating 75 years of diplomatic relations between India and Indonesia. The seminar served as a platform for dialogue, collaboration, and reflection on the shared history, evolving partnerships, and future aspirations of the two nations. Esteemed delegates, scholars, and representatives from both countries participated in the discussions, included; Dr. Arvind Gupta, Director, VIF; Dr. Mohammad Hasan Ansori, Executive Director, The Habibie Center; Shri Ashish Sinha, Joint Secretary (South), MEA; Ambassador Ina Krishnamurthi, Ambassador Indonesia to India; Amb Anil Wadhwa, former Secretary East, MEA; Zamroni Salim, Ph.D. Expert Staff, The Habibie Center; Mr Sanjay Chadha; former Addl Secy. Govt. of India; Marina Ika Sari, Researcher at the ASEAN Studies Programme, The Habibie Center; and other eminent scholars on the subject from VIF and Habibi center.

The discussions underscored the strong civilizational ties and mutual aspirations of both countries, with a focus on achieving developed nation status by 2045 — Indonesia’s “Golden Indonesia” and India’s “Viksit Bharat.” Dr. Arvind Gupta, Director of the VIF, opened the event by welcoming the delegation from the Habibi Center and Ambassador Ina Krishnamurthy. He highlighted the historical significance of this milestone and described the India-Indonesia relationship as one between "civilizational siblings."

A key achievement celebrated during the event was the publication of the book India-Indonesia Relations: A Civilizational Partnership. This collaborative effort involved contributions from scholars and practitioners from both countries and was hailed as a seminal work exploring the bilateral ties.

The event provided an opportunity to highlight the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two nations, which spans various domains such as trade, defence, maritime cooperation, digital innovation, and cultural exchanges. Speakers emphasized the importance of deepening collaboration in emerging areas like renewable energy, food security, digital infrastructure, and technology. Discussions also explored the Indo-Pacific region’s dynamics, with both nations sharing a vision for a free, open, and inclusive regional order. The role of ASEAN and India’s Act East policy was discussed as a framework to enhance regional stability and cooperation.

Furthermore, there was an emphasis on the unrealized potential of the India-Indonesia comprehensive strategic partnership, established in 2018. While defence and maritime cooperation have advanced through initiatives such as the Samudra Shakti naval exercises and coordinated patrols in the Malacca Strait, there remains a need to deepen public and elite perceptions of India’s strategic influence in Southeast Asia. Trade and investment were highlighted as areas requiring balance, with Indonesia enjoying a significant trade surplus while India continues to lead in direct investment within Indonesia’s economy.

The discussion also panned out towards the evolving defence ties between the two nations. Both countries face similar challenges, such as securing maritime routes and addressing transnational threats like piracy and illegal fishing. The bilateral defence cooperation framework includes the Joint Defence Cooperation Committee (JDCC), coordinated naval patrols, and strategic dialogues initiated in 2018. Participants underscored the need for further engagement in defence diplomacy, joint exercises, and interoperability, with an emphasis on incorporating the air force into collaborative efforts.

In the economic sphere, participants highlighted the need to address trade barriers and diversify areas of cooperation. Emerging sectors such as renewable energy, pharmaceuticals, and the blue economy were identified as priority areas. The discussions pointed to shared interests in leveraging digital infrastructure and public service technologies, such as India’s digital stack and electronic voting systems, to foster mutual growth and address systemic inefficiencies.

Cultural and historical linkages were also celebrated during the event. The shared narrative of the Ramayana and the historic Bali Yatra festival, which commemorates ancient trade voyages, were recognized as vital cultural connections that continue to strengthen bilateral relations. Discussants noted the long-standing civilizational ties between the two countries, as reflected in shared narratives such as the Ramayana and Mahabharata. These cultural exchanges remain a bridge for deeper understanding and mutual respect. The premiere academic institutions of both the countries should encourage and accommodate deeper research into historical, architectural, religious, literary connections between Indian and Indonesia.

Moreover, the importance of enhancing academic collaboration and track-two diplomacy to inform policymaking and strengthen bilateral ties was acknowledged. Think tanks should address gaps in understanding and amplify their research to influence broader public and policy discussions.

The event also explored new opportunities for cooperation, including advancements in defence partnerships, local currency transactions, and improving connectivity through direct flights between India and Indonesia. The need to address gaps in understanding each other’s culture and society was realised, calling for greater investments in academic and people-to-people exchanges.

The discussions concluded with a reaffirmation of the commitment to strengthening the India-Indonesia partnership as a cornerstone of regional collaboration in the Indo-Pacific. This event highlighted the shared values of solidarity, equality, and peaceful coexistence, setting a strong foundation for future cooperation. As both nations look forward to the next 25 years, this celebration served as a reminder of their historical bond and the potential for an even stronger partnership in the years to come.