The relationship between India and Indonesia, two of Asia’s most populous and strategically significant democracies, has been shaped by shared histories, cultural ties, and geopolitical imperatives. From their shared struggle against colonialism to their contemporary partnership in trade, security, and regional cooperation, the ties between these two nations have evolved through phases of solidarity, divergence, and renewal. This blog examines the trajectory of India-Indonesia relations, highlighting key moments and areas of collaboration.
The Early Years: Solidarity Against Colonialism
India and Indonesia’s modern relationship began during their shared struggle against colonialism. This solidarity set the foundation for their early post-independence ties. Both nations emerged from colonial rule around the same time—India in 1947 and Indonesia shortly after, following its independence proclamation in 1945.
India’s first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, played a crucial role in supporting Indonesia during its National Revolution (1945–49) against the Dutch. Nehru’s actions reflected India’s staunch commitment to anti-colonialism:
- India banned Dutch airlines from flying through its airspace as an act of protest against Dutch aggression.
- Indian dockworkers boycotted Dutch shipping.
- Biju Patnaik, a close ally of Nehru, undertook a daring mission to rescue key Indonesian leaders from Jakarta in 1947.
This goodwill formed the bedrock of the early partnership between the two countries.
The 1950s: A Decade of Friendship
The 1950s marked the zenith of India-Indonesia relations. Both nations, under the leadership of Nehru and President Sukarno, emphasized non-alignment, anti-colonialism, and global peace. Sukarno was the chief guest at India’s first Republic Day celebrations in 1950, a symbolic gesture that underscored the importance of the bilateral relationship.
In 1951, the two nations signed the Treaty of Friendship, pledging “perpetual peace and unalterable friendship.” This treaty served as a cornerstone for cooperation in trade, culture, and military affairs.
The 1955 Bandung Conference was a milestone in their collaboration. Hosted in Indonesia, the conference brought together leaders from Asia and Africa to discuss anti-colonialism and mutual cooperation. Both India and Indonesia were instrumental in laying the groundwork for the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), which formally emerged in 1961.
Deterioration of Relations in the 1960s
Despite their early camaraderie, the 1960s saw a decline in India-Indonesia relations due to several geopolitical and ideological divergences:
- Differing Views on China:
- India’s relations with China soured following the 1959 Tibetan uprising and the subsequent Sino-Indian War in 1962.
- Indonesia, under Sukarno, maintained closer ties with Beijing, creating a rift with New Delhi.
- Leadership Clashes:
- Nehru and Sukarno had disagreements, notably over Sukarno’s proposal for a second Bandung Conference, which Nehru did not support.
- Indonesia’s Stance During the 1962 Sino-Indian War:
- Indonesia’s lack of sympathy for India during the war strained relations further.
- Proximity to Pakistan:
- Sukarno’s frequent visits to Pakistan in 1963–64 and Jakarta’s vocal support for Pakistan on the Kashmir issue alienated India.
- The 1965 India-Pakistan War:
- Indonesia openly supported Pakistan, providing it with arms. Anti-India sentiments in Indonesia culminated in an attack on the Indian embassy in Jakarta.
These developments significantly weakened the partnership between the two nations.
The Cold War Era: A Period of Flux
The ascension of General Suharto in Indonesia in 1966 brought an initial improvement in bilateral ties. However, the broader context of the Cold War created new challenges:
- India’s close alignment with the Soviet Union in the 1970s limited its engagement with Indonesia, which was backed by the United States.
- Nevertheless, diplomatic exchanges continued, with key visits by Suharto to India in 1980 and Indian leaders, including Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi, visiting Indonesia in 1981 and 1986, respectively.
- Significant agreements, such as the 1977 maritime boundary treaty, reflected attempts to maintain cooperation despite ideological differences.
Renewed Engagement: The ‘Look East’ and ‘Act East’ Policies
The end of the Cold War and India’s economic liberalization in the early 1990s ushered in a new era of engagement with Southeast Asia, including Indonesia. Under Prime Minister P.V. Narasimha Rao, India adopted the ‘Look East’ policy, aiming to reinvigorate ties with its eastern neighbors.
This approach was further strengthened under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who rebranded it as the ‘Act East’ policy in 2014. This policy emphasized deeper economic, strategic, and cultural cooperation with ASEAN nations, with Indonesia as a key partner.
Since the 2000s, high-level visits between India and Indonesia have become a regular feature of bilateral relations. Areas of collaboration have expanded to include:
- Political: Regular dialogues on regional and global issues, particularly concerning the Indo-Pacific.
- Security and Defence: Joint military exercises, maritime security cooperation, and intelligence-sharing initiatives.
- Commercial: Significant growth in bilateral trade and investment.
- Cultural: Efforts to deepen historical and cultural connections.
Contemporary Relations: A Growing Partnership
Today, Indonesia is India’s second-largest trading partner within ASEAN, after Singapore. Bilateral trade has grown exponentially, from $4.3 billion in 2005–06 to $38.84 billion in 2022–23. Trade dynamics reflect complementary economic strengths:
- India’s imports from Indonesia: Coal, palm oil, minerals, and rubber.
- India’s exports to Indonesia: Refined petroleum, vehicles, telecommunications equipment, and agricultural products.
Beyond trade, recent agreements have focused on areas such as maritime security, health, traditional medicine, culture, and digital cooperation. These pacts underscore the shared commitment to leveraging their strategic location in the Indo-Pacific region for mutual benefit.
Challenges and Opportunities
While India-Indonesia relations have made significant strides, several challenges remain:
- Trade Imbalances:
- The trade relationship is skewed in favor of Indonesia, with India importing significantly more than it exports.
- Geopolitical Competition:
- Navigating complex regional dynamics in the Indo-Pacific, particularly concerning China, requires careful coordination.
- Underexplored Areas of Cooperation:
- Potential for collaboration in renewable energy, technology, and education remains largely untapped.
Despite these challenges, opportunities abound. The growing emphasis on regional security through initiatives like the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) and Quad offers a platform for greater India-Indonesia collaboration. Additionally, both nations can harness their demographic dividends to foster innovation and economic growth.
India-Indonesia Relations: A Strategic Partnership for the Indo-Pacific Era
India and Indonesia share a relationship rooted in history, cultural affinity, and shared aspirations. From their solidarity during anti-colonial struggles to their growing partnership in the 21st century, their ties reflect a remarkable journey of transformation and resilience.
As Asia’s largest democracies, India and Indonesia stand at a crossroads of opportunity. By addressing challenges and leveraging mutual strengths, they can pave the way for a deeper and more dynamic partnership. The recent focus on maritime security, cultural exchange, and digital cooperation signifies a promising trajectory for their bilateral ties.
In an era defined by shifting global geopolitics, the India-Indonesia partnership is not just a bilateral imperative but a cornerstone for peace, stability, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region.
MCQ
Question:
Consider the following statements regarding the geography of Indonesia:
- Indonesia is the world’s largest archipelagic state, consisting of over 17,000 islands.
- The islands of Sumatra and Java are located on the Pacific Ring of Fire, making the region prone to volcanic activity.
- Indonesia shares a land border with Thailand.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- (a) 1 and 2 only
- (b) 2 and 3 only
- (c) 1 and 3 only
- (d) 1, 2, and 3
Answer:
(a) 1 and 2 only
Explanation:
- Statement 1 is correct: Indonesia is the world’s largest archipelagic state with over 17,000 islands.
- Statement 2 is correct: Sumatra and Java are part of the Pacific Ring of Fire, making the region highly prone to earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.
- Statement 3 is incorrect: Indonesia does not share a land border with Thailand. It shares land borders with Papua New Guinea, Malaysia, and Timor-Leste.
Mains Question (15 Marks)
Question:
“The strategic location of Indonesia in the Indo-Pacific region makes it a crucial partner for India in achieving its geopolitical and economic objectives.” Discuss this statement in the context of India-Indonesia relations and the role of ASEAN in regional cooperation.