India, Indonesia agree to expand defence ties, technology sharing
India and Indonesia have vowed to expand security cooperation in a range of areas, including defence industries and technology sharing, during talks between Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and his Indonesian counterpart General Prabowo Subianto earlier this week.
Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh (right) and his Indonesian counterpart General Prabowo Subianto. (Photo: Twitter)
New Delhi (VNA) – India and Indonesia have vowed toexpand security cooperation in a range of areas, including defence industriesand technology sharing, during talks between Indian Defence Minister RajnathSingh and his Indonesian counterpart General Prabowo Subianto earlier this week.
In the talks, Minister Singh reiterated the long history ofmutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries with a tradition ofclose political dialogue, economic and trade linkages as well as cultural andpeople-to-people exchanges.
Sources said the issue of possible export of BrahMos cruisemissile to Indonesia by India and ways to further deepen maritime securitycooperation figured prominently in the talks.
The two sides agreed to further enhance the bilateraldefence cooperation in mutually agreed areas, the Indian Ministry of Defencesaid in a statement. Potential areas of cooperation in the field of defenceindustries and defence technology were also identified by the two countries, itadded.
The meeting ended on a positive note with a commitment tofurther strengthen and widen the scope of the bilateral cooperation between thetwo countries, it noted.
India and Indonesia have robust cooperation in the area ofdefence and security.
The two countries inked a new defence cooperation agreementin 2018 during Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Indonesia. Thepact was aimed at reflecting the elevation of relationship between the twocountries to a comprehensive strategic partnership./.
As Chair of ASEAN, Vietnam attaches great importance and gives top priority to defence-security cooperation channels in the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Chi Vinh, Deputy Minister of National Defence, said at the ARF Defence Officials’ Dialogue Video Conference in Hanoi on July 1.
The US Department of Defence on July 2 voiced its concern about China’s decision to conduct military exercises around the Hoang Sa (Paracel) Archipelago in the East Sea on July 1-5.
The Japanese Embassy in Vietnam, on behalf of the Japanese Government, Ministry of Defence and relevant agencies, expressed gratitude to Vietnam for its assistance in repairing and refueling a P-3C plane from the Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force in the past two months.
Defence cooperation plays a significant role in settling regional security matters, especially in the context of COVID-19, Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Chi Vinh, Deputy Minister of National Defence, said while chairing the ASEAN Regional Forum Security Policy Conference (ASPC) in Hanoi on July 8.
A video conference of the ASEAN Peacekeeping Centres Network (APCN) was held by the Vietnam Department of Peacekeeping Operations (VDPO) in Hanoi on July 16, focusing on ways to enhance cooperation among the network’s members in COVID-19 response.
The Ministry of Commerce reported that imports also rose 18% to 29.9 billion USD during the same period, resulting in a trade surplus of 1.1 billion USD. In May alone, Thailand posted a 4.6 billion USD trade surplus with the US and a 4.1 billion USD trade deficit with China.
The World Bank will provide a 2.1 billion USD financing package for Indonesia, focusing oncreating jobs, stimulating economic growth, and enhancing access to clean energy across the country.
Member states also reviewed progress on six priority areas for 2025, including the development of an underground cable framework, the follow-up agreement to the ASEAN Petroleum Security Agreement (APSA), the launch of the ASEAN Energy Efficiency Database, and the rollout of an investment platform for sustainable building initiatives.
In March, Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra met with Formula 1 chief Stefano Domenicali and said Thailand would commission a feasibility study into hosting a Grand Prix on a Bangkok street circuit from 2028.
The proposed giant sea wall aligns with bilateral cooperation and has been designated a national priority, considering that several regions in Indonesia are experiencing land subsidence of 10–15 centimetres per year.
International flights were cancelled including Jetstar and Virgin Australia flights to cities across Australia, and flights of Air India, Air New Zealand, Singapore's TigerAir and China's Juneyao Airlines.
The partnership aims to strengthen collaboration in the exploration and exploitation of mineral resources, including gold, copper, and manganese, as well as in the development of steel, aluminum, and renewable energy industries.
The Thai cabinet has approved a seven-year EV bus leasing scheme proposed by the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) for the capital, with an estimated cost of 15.35 billion THB (over 470 million USD).
Aircraft are prohibited from flying below 6,000 metres in the vicinity of the volcano, and should also remain alert to the presence of volcanic ash, which can disrupt flights.
Laos declared the transfer of the press management functions of five key media agencies and associated personnel to the Propaganda and Training Board of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party Central Committee.
Univers said in a statement that the new centre will serve as a hub for innovation, bringing together digital intelligence and climate ambition to accelerate Sarawak's transition toward a low-carbon, tech-enabled economy.
The target is to be completely free from plastic waste within two years. This can only be achieved if all parties implement the initiative with strong discipline.
Indonesia is taking new steps to improve protections for fishery workers, amid concerns over low wages, harsh working conditions, and limited access to social welfare.
The 2025 ASEAN- the Republic of Korea (RoK) Connectivity Forum that opened in Jakarta on June 17 reaffirmed a shared commitment to shaping a connected, resilient future by advancing the ASEAN Connectivity Strategic Plan.
The desk will serve as a service centre providing market intelligence, business licensing guidance, facilitating business cooperation, identifying potential investment projects, and harmonising regulatory policies between the two parties.
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim noted that the Asia-Pacific region accounted for half of global energy consumption and 60% of greenhouse gas emissions in 2024. Despite this, regional countries, including eight of ten ASEAN member states, remain committed to climate goals, including net-zero emissions and tripling global renewable capacity by 2030.
Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh (right) and his Indonesian counterpart General Prabowo Subianto. (Photo: Twitter) 
