PM Narendra Modi urges RI-India to strengthen maritime security and blue economy

JAKARTA - Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has placed maritime security as one of the important agendas of the Indonesia-India relationship. He called the two countries as major maritime powers in the Indian Ocean who need to work together to maintain maritime safety, trade, and the blue economy.

This was conveyed by Modi in a joint statement with President Prabowo Subianto at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, Tuesday, July 7.

"As two major maritime countries in the Indian Ocean, we will work together to improve maritime safety and security," Modi said.

Modi said the growing trust between Indonesia and India would strengthen defense, security, and maritime cooperation. The two countries also reached an agreement to increase defense exchanges, disaster management, and industrial cooperation.

Maritime cooperation is not only about maritime security affairs. Modi said Indonesia and India also made important decisions to expand cooperation in the blue economy, port development, and maritime trade.

Blue economy is the utilization of marine resources for economic growth while maintaining the sustainability of the marine environment. This issue is important for two countries that both have large marine areas and strategic trade routes.

"We have also taken an important decision to expand cooperation in the blue economy, port development, and maritime trade," Modi said.

For Indonesia and India, the sea is not just a geographical boundary. The sea becomes a logistics route, an energy route, a trade route, as well as a strategic space that determines regional security.

Modi also touched on the similarities between Indonesia and India regarding the Indo-Pacific. According to him, India has always given special attention to the centrality of ASEAN.

In the midst of global challenges, Modi assessed that dialogue and diplomacy are increasingly important. He also emphasized India's position regarding Palestine, namely supporting a two-state solution and long-term peace.

"India believes that dialogue and diplomacy are becoming increasingly important. Regarding Palestine, we support the two-state solution and long-term peace," Modi said.

Modi said that India-Indonesia relations in recent years have gained new energy, new trust, and stronger depth. He believes that the partnership between the two countries will enter a new phase that will have an impact on the 21st century.

"I am confident that from today, the India-Indonesia partnership will enter a new golden chapter," Modi said.

Maritime cooperation is an important part of that chapter. Not only because the two countries have a long history, but because the future of trade and security in the region is also determined by the sea.