NEW DELHI: India will support the development of Indonesia-specific Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), marking a significant endorsement of India’s election management system as Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Jakarta is expected to yield major strategic outcomes across defence, critical minerals and maritime cooperation, sources said.According to sources, Indonesia will develop its own EVMs with India’s support, reflecting growing confidence in India’s electoral technology and management practices.The two countries are also expected to deepen cooperation in critical minerals. According to sources, India will invest in the manufacturing of steel, nickel and rare earth permanent magnets in Indonesia to strengthen resilient supply chains for strategic industries.Maritime cooperation is another key focus of the visit. Sources said India and Indonesia will jointly develop the strategically located Sabang port, which overlooks the Strait of Malacca and lies around 100 miles from India’s Great Nicobar port project.Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto at the Istana Merdeka, the Presidential Palace in Jakarta, where the two leaders held bilateral talks after the Prime Minister signed the visitors’ book.“Prime Minister @narendramodi was accorded a grand ceremonial welcome at the Istana Merdeka, the Presidential Palace in Jakarta. The visit marks a significant step in advancing the India-Indonesia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, opening new avenues for cooperation across priority sectors while reinforcing the deep trust, shared values and enduring friendship that bind the two countries,” the Ministry of External Affairs said in a post on X.Prime Minister Modi also thanked President Prabowo for the reception.“Thank you for the warm welcome at the Istana Merdeka,” the Prime Minister said.Prime Minister Modi arrived in Jakarta on Monday for a three-day state visit after receiving a ceremonial welcome, including a fighter jet escort into Indonesian airspace and a personal reception by President Prabowo at the airport.The visit marks the Prime Minister’s fourth trip to Indonesia and the first bilateral visit since the two countries elevated ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2018. Both sides are expected to further strengthen cooperation in defence, maritime security, trade and strategic sectors during the visit.
