Day 14 – Q 5. Despite many similarities, the India-Indonesia relationship is marked with contradictions. In this light it is necessary to take calculated measure to enhance the strategic partnership the two countries have with each other. Discuss.
5. Despite many similarities, the India-Indonesia relationship is marked with contradictions. In this light it is necessary to take calculated measure to enhance the strategic partnership the two countries have with each other. Discuss.
कई समानताओं के बावजूद, भारत-इंडोनेशिया संबंध विरोधाभासों के साथ चिह्नित है। इस प्रकाश में दोनों देशों की रणनीतिक साझेदारी को बढ़ाने के लिए परिमाणित शुरुआत लेना आवश्यक है। चर्चा करें।
Synopsis:
India and Indonesia have shared two millennia of close cultural and commercial contacts. India and Indonesia have a common heritage, cultural and trade linkages going back to antiquity.
Similarities:
The Hindu, Buddhist and later Muslim faith travelled to Indonesia from the shores of India.
The Indonesian folk art and dramas are based on stories from the great epics of Ramayana and Mahabharata.
Cultural admiration is not one-sided however, Indians also relate closely to Indonesian culture especially Hindu Balinese culture.
The shared culture, colonial history and post-independence goals of political sovereignty, economic self-sufficiency and independent foreign policy have unifying effect on the bilateral relations.
Both are emerging economies with rapidly growing population.
Both are members of G-20, Non alignment movement and East Asia Summit.
Both are concerned about China’s rising territorial expansionism in South China Sea and Indian Ocean.
Contradictions:
India and Indonesia were allies in the fight against imperialism but in the 1970s, they started looking away from each other, till the return of multiparty democracy to Indonesia.
Indonesia offered to provide Pakistan with military help, and ‘to seize Andaman and Nicobar Islands’ of India so as to distract it from the Kashmir front during 1965 India-Pakistan war.
Indonesian push to promote its trade and products in India is very limited. The main issue is that bilateral trade is largely on autopilot, with little guidance or support from governmental action on either side. Bilateral trade is mostly limited to coal.
Frequent disagreements on global platforms like United Nations and World Trade Organisation.
Measures:
A more regular G2G contact by activating existing inter-governmental mechanisms like the trade ministers’ forum, the energy forum and the high-level task force on economic matters, on a priority basis.
As a part of Indo-Pacific strategy, India is developing Aech port closer to Andaman and Nicobar island to counter China’s Belt and Road Initiative. This strengthens maritime partnership between both the countries.
India and Indonesia should look to expand maritime security partnership to cover counter-terrorism and anti-piracy operations through exercises like CORPAT.
Making its “Act East” policy more robust, India has now decided to hold its first-ever joint air combat exercise with Indonesia.
Recently a Joint Task Force is set up to “undertake projects for port related infrastructure in and around” the Sabang island, near Malacca Strait. Owing to its inherent geo-strategic location, cargo handling infrastructure, and the regional maritime trade setup, is better poised to be a strategic port than a commercial one.
Conclusion:
As mutual partners and neighbors, our worries are similar. It is our duty to ensure maritime security and safety. This is also for the safety of our economic interests.
Best Answer: Abhishek Singh
