India-Indonesia 12th Army Talks in Lucknow focus on defence ties
Synopsis
The 12th India-Indonesia Army-to-Army Staff Talks in Lucknow — coming weeks after PM Modi's visit to Jakarta and a joint military exercise involving 12 nations — signal that the two countries are moving well beyond diplomatic pleasantries toward a structured, operational defence partnership in the Indo-Pacific.
Key Takeaways
India and Indonesia held the 12th Army-to-Army Staff Talks (AAST) in Lucknow from 11 to 13 August 2026 .
The Indonesian delegation was led by Brigadier General Ari Prasetya , VACOS Intelligence, TNI-AD .
Talks focused on joint training expansion, expertise exchanges, and deepening military-to-military ties.
PM Modi visited Indonesia last month and held talks with President Prabowo Subianto , resulting in multiple bilateral documents under the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership .
Military exercise PRAGATI 2026 in Meghalaya in May 2026 involved over 400 troops from 12 nations , including Indonesia.
India and Indonesia convened the 12th Army-to-Army Staff Talks (AAST) in Lucknow from 11 to 13 August 2026, with both sides focusing on strengthening bilateral defence cooperation, expanding joint training, and deepening military-to-military engagement. The Indian Army confirmed the talks through its official channels.
Key Discussions at the Talks
The Indonesian Army delegation was led by Brigadier General Ari Prasetya, Vice Assistant Chief of Staff for Intelligence (VACOS Intelligence), of the TNI-AD (Tentara Nasional Indonesia Angkatan Darat). Discussions covered expanding the scope of joint training programmes, enhancing expertise exchanges, and reaffirming the two nations' commitment to a strong India-Indonesia strategic partnership.
The Indian Army's Additional Directorate General of Public Information (ADGPI) said the talks aimed at 'deepening military-to-military ties, while reaffirming the commitment to a strong India-Indonesia strategic partnership.'
Diplomatic Backdrop: Modi-Subianto Summit
The AAST follows a high-profile diplomatic engagement last month, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi undertook a three-day visit to Indonesia. During the visit, Modi held bilateral talks with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, addressed the Indonesian Parliament, and participated in an Indian community programme.
The two leaders reviewed the full spectrum of the India-Indonesia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, covering trade and investment, defence and security, maritime cooperation, energy, healthcare and pharmaceuticals, space, critical minerals and rare earths, culture, tourism, and people-to-people exchanges, according to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
Both sides exchanged several bilateral documents spanning maritime safety and security, space cooperation, defence, steel supply chains, rare earths, health, agriculture, and science and technology. PM Modi and President Subianto also jointly inaugurated the UNESCO World Heritage Prambanan Temple restoration project in Yogyakarta.
PRAGATI 2026: Regional Military Exercise
The bilateral defence momentum was further reinforced in May 2026, when the military exercise PRAGATI 2026 — Partnership of Regional Armies for Growth and Transformation in IOR — was conducted in Meghalaya. The two-week exercise brought together over 400 troops from 12 friendly foreign nations, including Bhutan, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, the Philippines, Seychelles, Sri Lanka, and Vietnam.
The exercise aimed at strengthening regional cooperation, interoperability, and strategic coordination among participating countries, with a collective focus on peace, stability, and security in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
What This Signals
The 12th AAST, held against the backdrop of the Modi-Subianto summit and PRAGATI 2026, reflects a deliberate and accelerating effort to institutionalise India-Indonesia defence ties. This comes amid India's broader Act East Policy and growing strategic interest in the Indo-Pacific, where Indonesia — as the world's largest archipelago nation — holds significant maritime and geopolitical weight. The frequency and depth of engagements suggest both nations are moving beyond ceremonial exchanges toward operational alignment.
Point of View
A 12-nation joint exercise, and now structured army-level talks, all within months. India is clearly treating Indonesia as a load-bearing pillar of its Indo-Pacific strategy, not merely a regional partner. The real test will be whether this translates into interoperability on maritime domain awareness and joint patrolling in the IOR — areas where both nations have overlapping interests but have historically moved cautiously.
NationPress
13 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the India-Indonesia Army-to-Army Staff Talks (AAST)?
The AAST is a structured bilateral forum between the Indian Army and the Indonesian Army (TNI-AD) to discuss defence cooperation, joint training, and military-to-military engagement. The 12th edition was held in Lucknow from 11 to 13 August 2026.
What was discussed at the 12th AAST in Lucknow?
Discussions focused on strengthening bilateral defence cooperation, expanding joint training programmes, enhancing expertise exchanges, and deepening military-to-military ties, with both sides reaffirming commitment to the India-Indonesia strategic partnership.
How does the AAST connect to PM Modi's recent Indonesia visit?
PM Modi visited Indonesia last month and held talks with President Prabowo Subianto, resulting in the exchange of multiple bilateral documents covering defence, maritime security, space, rare earths, and more. The AAST is the follow-through at the military-operational level.
What was PRAGATI 2026 and why does it matter?
PRAGATI 2026 was a multilateral military exercise held in Meghalaya in May 2026, bringing together over 400 troops from 12 countries including Indonesia. It was designed to strengthen regional interoperability and collective security in the Indian Ocean Region.
Why is the India-Indonesia defence relationship significant?
Indonesia is the world's largest archipelago nation and a key maritime actor in the Indo-Pacific. Deepening defence ties with Indonesia supports India's Act East Policy and its strategic interest in maintaining a stable and open Indo-Pacific region.
