PM Modi's Indonesia visit key to rules-based Indo-Pacific order, say experts

Business To Business, New Delhi, 05^th July, 2026:    Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Indonesia this week, his first bilateral trip to the Southeast Asian nation in eight years, is being viewed by strategic experts as an important opportunity to deepen cooperation at a time when the Indo-Pacific faces growing geopolitical and security challenges.
Analysts say India and Indonesia, two of the region's largest democracies, occupy strategically significant positions at opposite ends of the Indian Ocean and have a shared interest in maintaining a stable, inclusive and rules-based regional order.
"India and Indonesia occupy pivotal geographic positions at either end of the Indian Ocean and both have an interest in preserving a stable, inclusive and rules-based regional order," said Fitriani, a senior analyst with the Australian Strategic Policy Institute.
The visit comes amid heightened geopolitical uncertainty, including tensions in West Asia and continuing concerns over developments in the South China Sea, underscoring the importance of closer coordination between New Delhi and Jakarta on regional security, maritime cooperation and economic resilience.
Hadza Min Fadhli Robby, Associate Professor at the Islamic University of Indonesia, said a stable Indo-Pacific is critical for sustaining economic growth across the region.
"A stable and secure regional order will help the Indian economy to thrive amidst possible instability in both West Asia and the South China Sea," he said.
Modi's visit is expected to focus on expanding cooperation in areas such as trade and investment, maritime security, defence, digital connectivity, clean energy and regional diplomacy. It also reflects the growing strategic convergence between India and Indonesia as both countries seek to strengthen partnerships that support peace, stability and sustainable development across the Indo-Pacific.
The visit is expected to inject fresh momentum into bilateral ties while reinforcing the role of India and Indonesia as key stakeholders in shaping the future security and economic architecture of the Indo-Pacific region.