PM Modi lands in Jakarta: Prabowo receives him at airport in rare gesture
Synopsis
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto broke protocol norms by personally receiving PM Modi at Jakarta airport — fighter jets in tow. With BrahMos already sold, a Prambanan temple visit planned, and bilateral trade at US$ 24.78 billion, this visit signals that the India-Indonesia partnership is moving well beyond diplomatic pleasantries into strategic depth.
Key Takeaways
PM Modi arrived in Jakarta on 6 July for a two-day visit — the first stop on a three-nation tour covering Indonesia, Australia, and New Zealand .
President Prabowo Subianto personally received Modi at the airport; Indonesian Air Force jets escorted the PM's plane through Indonesian airspace.
India and Indonesia elevated ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2018 ; this is Modi's first bilateral visit since that elevation.
Bilateral trade stood at US$ 24.78 billion in 2025-26 ; Indonesia is India's second-largest trading partner in the ASEAN region.
Over 130 Indian companies are invested in Indonesia; defence cooperation includes the sale of the BrahMos missile system.
Modi will visit the Prambanan Temple complex in Yogyakarta with President Prabowo and meet the Indian diaspora in Indonesia.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Jakarta on Monday, 6 July, launching a two-day state visit to Indonesia — the first stop on a three-nation tour that will also take him to Australia and New Zealand later in the week. In an uncommon diplomatic courtesy, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto personally received Modi at the airport, where the Indian Prime Minister was also greeted with traditional Indonesian cultural performances.
Fighter jets from the Indonesian Air Force escorted the Prime Minister's aircraft from the moment it entered Indonesian airspace — a protocol honour typically reserved for heads of state.
What Modi Said Before Departing
In his pre-departure statement, Modi noted that he would be in Indonesia from 6 to 8 July at the personal invitation of President Prabowo. He recalled that bilateral ties were elevated to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership during his first visit to Indonesia in 2018, and described the current trip as his first bilateral visit since that elevation.
'India and Indonesia share strong civilisational and people-to-people ties, and this visit will further deepen all aspects of our multifaceted partnership,' Modi said. He also noted that President Prabowo had been the chief guest at India's Republic Day celebrations on 26 January 2025 — underscoring the warmth of the relationship ahead of this visit.
Cultural and Diaspora Engagements Planned
Beyond the formal bilateral summit, Modi is scheduled to interact with the Indian diaspora in Indonesia and visit the Prambanan Temple complex in Yogyakarta alongside President Prabowo. The temple visit is being framed as a symbol of deep civilisational links between the two nations — both of which share a Hindu-Buddhist heritage stretching back over a millennium.
Defence, Maritime, and Trade Ties
India-Indonesia defence cooperation has gained significant momentum in recent years, anchored by high-level exchanges, joint military exercises, and defence industry collaboration — most notably the sale of the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile system to Indonesia. Both nations adopted the Shared Vision of India-Indonesia Maritime Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific in 2018, and the stationing of an Indonesian Liaison Officer at IFC-IOR (Information Fusion Centre — Indian Ocean Region) is expected to strengthen maritime domain awareness further.
India will also earmark slots for Indonesian cadets and officers at the National Defence Academy (NDA) and the Defence Services Staff College (DSSC), deepening capacity-building ties.
On the economic front, Indonesia has emerged as the second-largest trading partner of India within the ASEAN region, with bilateral trade reaching US$ 24.78 billion in 2025-26. More than 130 Indian companies are currently invested across various sectors in Indonesia. Officials have also noted strong alignment between India's Viksit Bharat 2047 vision and Indonesia's Emas (Golden) Indonesia 2045 development framework.
What Comes Next
Modi is expected to hold formal bilateral discussions with President Prabowo to review progress across the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. After concluding the Indonesia leg, he will proceed to Australia and New Zealand to complete the three-nation tour. The outcomes of the Jakarta summit — particularly on defence, trade, and maritime cooperation — will be closely watched by ASEAN partners and Indo-Pacific stakeholders alike.
Point of View
And Modi's visit, anchored by BrahMos cooperation and a maritime framework, positions New Delhi as a credible third option. The Prambanan temple visit adds a civilisational layer that no trade deal can manufacture. The real question is whether the US$ 24.78 billion trade relationship — still heavily skewed toward commodities — can be rebalanced toward defence, technology, and manufacturing before the next election cycle in either country shifts priorities.
NationPress
6 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Indonesian President Prabowo personally receive PM Modi at the airport?
President Prabowo Subianto personally receiving PM Modi at Jakarta airport is a rare diplomatic gesture, signalling the high priority Indonesia places on its relationship with India. The reception, accompanied by an Indonesian Air Force jet escort, went beyond standard protocol for visiting heads of government.
What is the purpose of PM Modi's visit to Indonesia?
Modi's visit from 6 to 8 July aims to hold bilateral discussions with President Prabowo and review progress under the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership established in 2018. The visit also includes a meeting with the Indian diaspora and a joint trip to the Prambanan Temple complex in Yogyakarta.
What is the current state of India-Indonesia trade?
Bilateral trade between India and Indonesia reached US$ 24.78 billion in 2025-26, making Indonesia India's second-largest trading partner in the ASEAN region. More than 130 Indian companies are currently invested across various sectors in Indonesia.
How strong is India-Indonesia defence cooperation?
Defence ties have expanded significantly, including the sale of the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile system to Indonesia. Both countries conduct regular bilateral and multilateral military exercises, and India will earmark training slots for Indonesian cadets at the NDA and DSSC.
Where will PM Modi travel after Indonesia?
After concluding his two-day visit to Indonesia, PM Modi will travel to Australia and then New Zealand as part of a three-nation tour scheduled for the same week.
