India, Indonesia discuss BrahMos, deepen focus on critical minerals and UPI-QRIS integration during PM Modi’s visit
Jakarta[Indonesia]: India and Indonesia discussed cooperation on the BrahMos missile system as part of efforts to strengthen bilateral defence ties, while also reviewing progress on integrating India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) with Indonesia’s QRIS digital payment platform and expanding collaboration in critical minerals and mining.
Speaking at a special media briefing after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s talks with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto on Tuesday, Ministry of External Affairs Secretary (East) Rudrendra Tandon said BrahMos was an important area of discussion as both countries seek to enhance industry-to-industry cooperation in defence.
“BrahMos was discussed. It is an important part of the industry-to-industry collaboration that we are trying to develop, taking our defence cooperation relationship to the next level. However, commercial agreements are not discussed at the highest level. Those are left for the companies to sort out. It is an important area of collaboration and there were extensive discussions on that,” Tandon said.
On the integration of India’s UPI and Indonesia’s QRIS payment systems, Indian Ambassador to Indonesia Sandeep Chakravorty said negotiations were at an advanced stage and expressed confidence that the linkage could be completed by the end of the year.
“We hope to conclude the discussions and the technology integration very soon. This is work in progress at a very advanced stage and since both the leaders have expressed interest that we quickly do it, I’m sure the message has gone out to people who are negotiating it to quickly conclude those negotiations. I’m hopeful that by the end of the year, we will find integration between QRIS (Quick Response Code Indonesian Standard) and UPI,” Chakravorty said.
Tandon also highlighted mining and critical minerals as a key component of the India-Indonesia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, saying the sector offers significant opportunities for long-term economic cooperation.
“This is an important area of our economic cooperation and falls under the comprehensive strategic partnership because mining and critical minerals have become a very important issue for both countries. We have a great demand. We have an industry that is capable of investing. Indonesia has considerable resources in this area, and this is a basis for a very close economic collaboration on this,” he said.
The discussions reflected the growing focus on expanding cooperation in defence, digital connectivity and strategic economic sectors as the two countries work to deepen their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Modi addressed the Indian diaspora in Jakarta and thanked the community for its warmth and support.
“The atmosphere at the community programme in Jakarta was truly euphoric! Deeply touched by the warmth and affection of the Indian diaspora,” PM Modi said in a post on X.
He also highlighted Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto’s participation in the community event, saying his presence made the occasion more special.
“Delighted that my friend, President Prabowo Subianto, joined the community programme in Jakarta and made the occasion even more memorable. His address clearly reflected his affection for the people of India,” Modi said.
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal also shared glimpses of the Indian community reception in Jakarta, describing the welcome as warm and enthusiastic.
Addressing the gathering, Prime Minister Modi praised the Indian diaspora for its contribution to Indonesia’s development and prosperity, describing it as a living bridge of friendship between the two countries.
He said India remained committed to acting as a force multiplier for progress and prosperity in Indonesia and the wider ASEAN region.
Prime Minister Modi is on a three-day state visit to Indonesia.
(DD News)
