India and Indonesia Strengthen Strategic Partnership with Defense Deals

India and Indonesia on Tuesday signed defence deals that will bring the two countries closer strategically against China's aggressive strategy in the Indo-Pacific region. Indonesia has signed an agreement to supply BrahMos missiles and air-to-air Astra missiles to India. At a bilateral meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Prabowo Sibiyo, it was decided that defence industry and technology will be the two most priority areas of mutual cooperation between the two countries, under which joint production and co-development will be carried out, technology will be shared with each other, and each other's capabilities will be strengthened. Both countries have also taken steps to monitor the Malacca waterway, which is very important for shipping in the Indo-Pacific region. Both countries have also agreed to develop Sabang Port in Indonesia. During Modi's visit to the Indonesian capital Jakarta on Tuesday, the Indian President and the Indonesian President did not sign the'Total Distance'agreement.