Countering China's Influence: India Develops Port in Indonesia
Italian Media: Defense and Sabrang Port – Modi’s Achievements in Indonesia

As part of Delhi’s initiative to counter China’s "Act East" strategy, Prime Minister Modi’s recent visit to Jakarta has yielded several significant agreements. In addition to the sale of BrahMos missiles, both sides signed a pact on jointly developing a port at the entrance of the Strait of Malacca, further solidifying India’s presence along key trade routes in the region.

Milan (Asia News) – Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s diplomatic outreach continued in July this year. Following visits to France, Slovakia, and Seychelles, PM Modi launched a tour of three Indo-Pacific nations—Indonesia, Australia, and New Zealand—and secured new agreements in industry, defense, and technology sectors.

During the first week of July, PM Modi visited Indonesia and met with President Prabowo Subianto. After a three-year gap since the last formal meeting with former President Joko Widodo in 2023, the two leaders reaffirmed their strong bilateral partnership. Prabowo stated: “We are the world’s two largest democracies. Our cooperation will bring substantial benefits to the region.”

During the visit, multiple agreements were signed in critical areas including critical minerals, agriculture, and defense. Indonesia officially confirmed the purchase of the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile system. Developed by an Indo-Russian joint venture, the system can reach speeds of 2.8 to 3.0 Mach (approximately 3,700 km/h), enabling high-precision strikes against maritime and land targets, making it one of the most advanced tactical missile systems globally. Indonesia thus becomes the third Southeast Asian nation—after the Philippines and Vietnam—to acquire BrahMos missiles from India, with a total value of $630 million. The Philippines was the first buyer in 2022, while Vietnam completed negotiations earlier this May.

Beyond defense cooperation, the summit also emphasized strengthening supply chains for critical minerals and steel (through a memorandum of understanding) and collaboration in agriculture. The Indian Steel Authority and Indonesia’s Krakatau Steel will establish a joint venture to produce stainless steel in Indonesia. PM Modi also affirmed that both countries will work together to enhance maritime security in the Indian Ocean. Speaking before the Indonesian parliament, he said: “Our partnership is not merely between our two nations—it is a commitment to stability in the Indo-Pacific, to the strength of the Global South, and to a shared future.”

This visit to Indonesia, combined with previous engagements in Australia and New Zealand, forms part of India’s broader “Act East” policy. This strategy aims to strengthen India’s influence in the Indo-Pacific region and counterbalance China’s growing presence in the Indian Ocean and ASEAN regions. A key outcome of this visit was an agreement with the Indonesian government to jointly develop the Sabrang Port located on We Island.

The Sabrang Port sits at the northern tip of Sumatra, overlooking the Strait of Malacca—an area strategically positioned at one of the world’s busiest sea lanes. Around 40% of global trade passes through this strait, including 80% of China’s oil imports, making it one of the most vital channels in international trade.

Under the new agreement, India will participate in the development of Sabrang Port, thereby enhancing its role in monitoring major trade routes in the region. Its proximity to Great Nicobar Port allows New Delhi to strengthen surveillance capabilities and reinforce its strategic position across the Indo-Pacific.

Author: Maria Casadei

Original article: toutiao.com/article/1870921222898716/

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author alone.