India and Indonesia stress peace in ASEAN region

Sub: IR

Sec: Places in news

Context:

At a recent meeting at Hyderabad House, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto and Prime Minister Narendra Modi reaffirmed India’s commitment to maintaining peace, security, and freedom of navigation in Southeast Asia.
The Indonesian President is the chief guest at the Republic Day celebrations.

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President Subianto recalled Indonesia’s historical ties with India, noting that India was one of the first supporters of Indonesia’s independence struggle against Dutch colonization after World War II.
The Indonesian President linked India’s current advocacy for South-South cooperation to the historic India-Indonesia consensus formed during the 1955 Bandung conference.
He also expressed appreciation for India’s support for Indonesia’s recent admission to the BRICS grouping.

Bandung conference:

In April, 1955, representatives from twenty-nine governments of Asian and African nations gathered in Bandung, Indonesia to discuss peace and the role of the Third World in the Cold War, economic development, and decolonization.
The conference was a key moment for nations that had recently gained independence, many of them having been former colonies of European powers. It marked the emergence of the Non-Aligned Movement.

Non-Aligned Movement:

The Non-Aligned Movement was formed during the Cold War as an organization of States that did not seek to formally align themselves with either the United States or the Soviet Union, but sought to remain independent or neutral.
It was established in 1961 in Belgrade, former Yugoslavia under the leadership of the then Indian Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, President of Egypt Gamal Abdel Nasser and the President of Yugoslavia Josip Broz Tito.
It has 120 members at present, comprising 53 countries from Africa, 39 from Asia, 26 from Latin America and the Caribbean and 2 from Europe (Belarus, Azerbaijan).

Importance of the Partnership:

Indonesia is an important partner in the ASEAN and Indo-Pacific The region is facing various challenges, including territorial disputes in the South China Sea.
Both countries are committed towards maintaining peace, security, prosperity and rules-based order in this entire region.

Areas of Cooperation:

The discussions led to the signing of various Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) focusing on sectors such as health, culture, traditional medicine, and maritime safety.
Indonesia expressed interest in attracting Indian hospital chains to establish facilities in the country. They are also looking for Indian expertise in training healthcare professionals and establishing internships for students and technicians.
Prime Minister Modi outlined potential areas of cooperation between India and Indonesia, which include defence manufacturing and supply chains, maritime security, cybersecurity, counter-terrorism, and de-radicalization.

Sabang port:

India is developing a Deep-Sea Port in Indonesia’s Sabang close to Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Sabang Port is positioned close to the Strait of Malacca, a vital shipping route that connects the Indian Ocean to the Pacific Ocean. This makes it significant for maritime trade between India and Southeast Asia.

About Indonesia:

Indonesia is a country in Southeast Asia and Oceania between the Indian and Pacific oceans.
It consists of over 17,000 islands, including Sumatra, Java, Sulawesi, and parts of Borneo and New Guinea.
Indonesia is the world’s largest archipelagic state and the 14th-largest country by area.
Indonesia shares land borders with Papua New Guinea, East Timor, and the eastern part of Malaysia, as well as maritime borders with Singapore, Vietnam, Thailand, the Philippines, Australia, Palau, and India.