Endless potential, new determination: Admiral Tripathi's visit boosts India-Indonesia maritime ties

As maritime neighbours and rising economic powerhouses, India and Indonesia stand at the forefront of shaping the Indo-Pacific’s future. Their strategic locations, expansive coastlines, and shared responsibilities for some of the busiest trade routes in the world make their partnership pivotal. Over the decades, their maritime ties have deepened, highlighting mutual interests in security, stability, and regional prosperity.

This enduring relationship had its roots in the 1940s when India supported Indonesia’s struggle for independence. That solidarity has evolved into a comprehensive partnership, blending joint naval operations, capacity-building initiatives, and humanitarian collaboration. A notable instance of this cooperation was India’s response to the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, one of the most devastating natural disasters in recent history. Under Operation Gambhir, the Indian Navy deployed ships like INS Nirupak and INS Khukri to Aceh province, delivering life-saving aid and medical assistance. This mission saved lives and cemented a legacy of trust and friendship.

Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi’s official visit to Indonesia from December 15-18, 2024, marks a significant moment in this ongoing partnership. During his four-day visit, Admiral Tripathi is holding discussions with Indonesia’s Defence Minister, Lt Gen Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin (Retd), Commander of the Armed Forces General Agus Subiyanto, and Chief of the Indonesian Navy Admiral Muhammad Ali. These talks focus on strengthening naval cooperation, joint training initiatives, and addressing shared maritime challenges such as piracy, illegal fishing, and smuggling.

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Admiral Tripathi’s visit coincides with the 43rd India-Indonesia Coordinated Patrol (CORPAT), underway along the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) from December 10-18. This patrol highlights both nations’ commitment to ensuring maritime security and fostering operational coordination. Together, these developments reflect the immense potential of a partnership that continues to adapt and grow in response to evolving regional dynamics.

Shared Challenges, Unified Vision

India and Indonesia are vital stakeholders in securing sea lanes that serve as lifelines for global commerce. Recognising their strategic significance, the two nations signed the ‘Shared Vision of India-Indonesia Maritime Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific’ in 2018. This landmark agreement reflects their commitment to upholding international law, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and to promoting maritime safety, sustainable development, and freedom of navigation.

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This vision has translated into tangible action through initiatives such as the annual Exercise Samudra Shakti, launched in 2018. The exercise has grown in size and complexity and includes advanced manoeuvres, coordinated weapon firings, and seamanship drills. These activities demonstrate enhanced interoperability and operational synergy, preparing both navies to address maritime challenges effectively.

The ongoing CORPAT patrols, a cornerstone of India-Indonesia naval cooperation, focus on combating transnational crimes such as piracy, smuggling, and illegal fishing. Beyond these tactical operations, the patrols emphasise a broader strategic alignment between India’s Act East policy and Indonesia’s Global Maritime Fulcrum initiative, which prioritises regional security and economic connectivity. The partnership is underpinned by a collective commitment to a free, open, and rules-based Indo-Pacific. India and Indonesia are leveraging their unique positions to foster regional stability, ensuring that maritime cooperation serves as a cornerstone for sustainable growth and shared prosperity.

Humanitarian Efforts and Regional Stability

Maritime security extends beyond defence, encompassing humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) as a critical component. India has long demonstrated its role as a first responder in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), a capability that complements Indonesia’s own priorities. This shared ethos of compassion and readiness is a defining feature of their naval partnership.

Through the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS), India and Indonesia have developed Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for coordinated HADR missions. These protocols enable seamless collaboration during crises, ensuring timely and effective responses. Naval exercises increasingly include HADR simulations, reflecting both nations’ dedication to alleviating human suffering.

Admiral Tripathi’s visit is expected to enhance these frameworks further, building on past successes like the 2004 tsunami response. Joint efforts to address natural disasters, from cyclones to tsunamis, embody Mahatma Gandhi’s wisdom: “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” This spirit of humanitarian cooperation strengthens trust and reinforces the partnership’s role as a regional stabilising force.

A New Frontier

While naval operations remain central to India-Indonesia relations, defence-industrial collaboration represents an emerging dimension of strategic growth. Both nations are moving toward indigenous defence procurement to enhance supply chain resilience and strategic autonomy.

India’s Atmanirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India) initiative provides a robust platform for joint ventures, technology-sharing, and defence exports. Indonesia’s reported interest in acquiring India’s BrahMos missile system highlights the partnership’s growing depth. The BrahMos, renowned for its versatility and maritime strike capabilities, could significantly bolster Indonesia’s deterrence posture.

Beyond procurement, the two nations have immense potential for collaboration in emerging technologies such as unmanned systems, AI-powered naval applications, and cybersecurity solutions. By pooling resources and expertise, India and Indonesia can accelerate innovation and secure their maritime domains against evolving threats.

The 7th India-Indonesia Joint Defence Cooperation Committee meeting in May 2024 reaffirmed this intent, with both nations committing to deepening defence-industrial ties. These collaborations reflect a proactive approach to addressing future challenges, ensuring that both countries remain resilient in a rapidly changing strategic environment.

Admiral Tripathi’s Visit

Admiral Tripathi’s visit symbolises the deepening relationship between India and Indonesia. His engagements with senior Indonesian leaders aim to build on existing frameworks, expand joint exercises, and enhance operational readiness. Key discussions include counter-piracy operations, illegal fishing, and drug trafficking, all of which threaten maritime stability. The timing of the visit, coinciding with the ongoing CORPAT patrol, emphasises its operational and symbolic significance.

The visit reflects the nations’ shared commitment to a free, open, and rules-based Indo-Pacific by focusing on synchronised naval operations and shared maritime security challenges. Admiral Tripathi’s visit is not merely a diplomatic engagement but a reaffirmation of India and Indonesia’s broader strategic vision for the region. As resident powers in the IOR, they offer a stabilising counter-narrative to coercive and militaristic approaches elsewhere in the Indo-Pacific.

The Road Ahead

Institutionalising the India-Indonesia maritime partnership will be crucial as both nations navigate an increasingly complex geopolitical landscape. Regular high-level dialogues, expanded training initiatives, and deeper defence-industrial collaboration must form the bedrock of this relationship. Enhanced frameworks for operational coordination will enable both navies to address shared challenges effectively, from transnational crimes to humanitarian crises.

As Alfred Thayer Mahan once observed, “The Indian Ocean will be the key to the seven seas in the 21st century. The destiny of the world will be decided on its waters.” India and Indonesia’s partnership embodies this sentiment, prioritising collective security, sustainable development, and the welfare of their people. Admiral Tripathi’s visit heralds a transformative era in India-Indonesia defence relations. Their partnership reflects a commitment to collective security, humanitarian outreach, and technological innovation—a model for regional resilience and cooperation.

From securing trade routes to advancing defence collaboration, India and Indonesia are charting a path toward peace, progress, and maritime stability. Together, they embody the promise of a brighter future anchored in trust, shared values, and a unified vision for the Indo-Pacific.

Commander Rahul Verma (Retd) is an Emerging Technology and Prioritisation Scout for a leading Indian multinational corporation, focusing on advancing force modernisation through innovative technological applications and operational concepts. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstpost’s views.