Discuss the significance of India-Indonesia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in the context of India's Act East Policy and Indo-Pacific strategy.

Q. Discuss the significance of India-Indonesia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in the context of India's Act East Policy and Indo-Pacific strategy. (15 marks, 250-350 words)

Indonesia, India's maritime neighbour across the Andaman Sea, was elevated to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) in 2018 alongside a Shared Vision of Maritime Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific [2]. Prime Minister Modi's State Visit of 6-8 July 2026 signals that the CSP has become the operational anchor of India's Act East Policy and its Indo-Pacific strategy.

Strategic and maritime significance - Indonesia straddles the Malacca, Sunda and Lombok straits, through which the bulk of India's trade with East Asia passes; the CSP converts geography into shared maritime security cooperation [2]. - The Shared Vision aligns India's SAGAR/Act East approach with Indonesia's Global Maritime Fulcrum, giving both a common template for a free, open and rules-based Indo-Pacific [2][3]. - Defence and security cooperation, including maritime domain awareness, was a core agenda of the 7 July 2026 bilateral talks at Istana Merdeka [1].

Act East: from "look" to delivery - Indonesia is ASEAN's largest economy and a G20 member; deeper ties strengthen India's leverage in ASEAN-centred architecture [1]. - The 2026 Joint Statement broadened the agenda to trade and investment, digital economy, critical minerals, energy, space, health and agriculture — the economic substance Act East long lacked [1]. - Institutionalised summit-level exchanges — President Prabowo Subianto as Chief Guest at the 76th Republic Day (2025), reciprocated in 2026 — provide political continuity [1].

Civilisational and normative dimension - Shared Ramayana-Mahabharata heritage, visible at Prambanan, and a large diaspora sustain people-to-people ties [1]. - Indonesia's conferment of its highest civilian honour, Bintang Adipurna, on the Prime Minister marks the trust underpinning the partnership [4].

The CSP thus makes Indonesia a pivot rather than a periphery in India's eastward engagement, linking strategic, economic and cultural tracks. Going forward, early conclusion of the pending economic agreements, expanded joint patrols and connectivity between the Andaman & Nicobar Islands and Aceh would give the partnership operational depth — advancing India's MAHASAGAR vision of security and growth for all in the region [3].

(~320 words)

Sources: 1. India-Indonesia Joint Statement on the State Visit by PM of India to Indonesia (7 July 2026) — visit dates, Istana Merdeka talks, sectors covered, Prabowo's 2025 Republic Day visit, Prambanan and people-to-people ties 2. Shared Vision of India-Indonesia Maritime Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific (2018) — 2018 CSP elevation, maritime security framework, alignment of Act East/SAGAR with Global Maritime Fulcrum 3. PM's Departure statement ahead of his three nation visit to Indonesia, Australia and New Zealand — Act East Policy and MAHASAGAR vision for the Indo-Pacific 4. PM Modi conferred Indonesia's highest civilian award 'Bintang Adipurna' — DD News — conferment of Bintang Adipurna by President Prabowo Subianto