In a declaration of bilateral commitment, India and Indonesia pledged to broaden their comprehensive defense relations, particularly emphasizing maritime security and industrial involvement in the manufacture of military apparatus.

The seventh assembly of the India-Indonesia Joint Defense Cooperation Committee (JDCC) in Delhi encompassed discussions on various dimensions of defense and strategic ties between the two nations.

The Ministry of Defense conveyed mutual contentment regarding the expansive horizon of defense collaboration. “The advancement in diverse bilateral defense cooperation endeavors, as scrutinized during the sessions of working groups on defense cooperation and defense industry cooperation, was also taken into account by the co-chairs,” the ministry reported.

Presided over by defense secretary Giridhar Aramane and his Indonesian counterpart Air Marshal Donny Ermawan Taufanto, the summit charted avenues to bolster existing collaborative sectors, with a particular focus on defense industry connections, maritime security, and collaborative endeavors on an international scale, the ministry articulated in an official statement.

Over the preceding days, Taufanto toured the premises of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) in Delhi, alongside engagements with TATA Advanced Systems and L&T Defense establishments in Pune.

Additionally, he engaged in discussions with other Indian defense industry affiliates such as Bharat Forge, Mahindra Defense, and Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited, exploring avenues to enhance defense industrial capabilities through collaborative research and joint production.

Moreover, he paid a courtesy call on Chief of Defence Staff Gen Anil Chauhan. The Indonesian envoy’s visit to India spans from May 2 to 4.