Prabowo Supports Sabang Port as a Strategic Link between Indonesia and India

JAKARTA - President Prabowo Subianto supports the development of Sabang Port in Aceh as a strategic link between Indonesia and India. Sabang is considered important because it faces the connectivity route to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands in India.

This was conveyed by Prabowo in a joint statement with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, Tuesday, July 7.

Prabowo said that relations between the two countries' people would be closer if connectivity continued to be strengthened. Therefore, Indonesia supports the development of ports in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, as well as the development of Sabang Port.

"I express support for the development of ports in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India, as well as the development and construction of the Sabang Port in Aceh as a strategic link between Sabang Island and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands in India," said Prabowo.

The Sabang issue is not just a matter of ports. Its location makes the area have strategic value in Indonesia's maritime relations with India. This line can strengthen regional connectivity, trade, and cooperation.

Prabowo also emphasized that Indonesia and India agreed to strengthen security cooperation. Both countries will increase cooperation through the third India-Indonesia Security Dialogue.

According to Prabowo, cross-border security challenges are growing. Therefore, Indonesia and India are committed to deepening cooperation in capacity development in the fields of new technology, cross-border crime prevention, and digital infrastructure.

"We also reaffirm our commitment to strengthen cooperation in combating terrorism," said Prabowo.

In the maritime sector, Indonesia and India both have major interests in the Indo-Pacific. Prabowo said the two countries were committed to realizing a region that was free, open, transparent, and based on international law.

He also emphasized the importance of ASEAN centrality in the Indo-Pacific region.

"In the Indo-Pacific region, Indonesia and India continue to commit to realizing a region that is free, open, transparent, and based on international law, while upholding the centrality of ASEAN," said Prabowo.

Prabowo said that he and Modi also exchanged views on regional and global issues. Both countries, he said, support dialogue, diplomacy, and international law as a means of peacefully resolving conflicts in the Middle East.

For Indonesia, relations with India are not just about history and culture. Through Sabang, Andaman-Nikobar, and security cooperation, the relationship has begun to touch on matters of maritime routes, connectivity, and regional stability.