Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto was the chief guest at India’s 76th Republic Day celebrations on his first visit to India as Indonesian President. President Subianto is the fourth President of Indonesia to be the chief guest of India’s Republic Day celebrations. It may be noted that for the first time in 1950, on India’s first Republic Day, Indonesia’s then-President Sukarno came to India as the chief guest. Also, for the first time in Indonesia’s political history, the Indonesian marching and band contingent is participating in another country’s Republic Day or National Day parade.

Indonesia is an important partner of India in the Indo-Pacific along with the 10-nation ASEAN bloc and according to PM Modi both countries are committed to a rules-based order in the region.

India-Indonesia relations have strengthened in the last few years after PM Modi visited Indonesia in 2018, during which India-Indonesia relations were elevated to a comprehensive strategic partnership. Amid this visit, both countries signed several MoUs under which it was decided to work together on defence manufacturing and supply chains to increase defence cooperation. Apart from this, both countries will also cooperate in maritime security, cyber security and combating terrorism.

It may be noted that under India’s Atmnirbhar Bharat initiative, the country has been selling weapons to many nations and now Indonesia is also included in this list. By supplying weapons to Indonesia, India is also trying to fortify New Delhi’s status in the........

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