The new deal is a continuation of the initial understanding signed last March. As part of this, the agreement signed now is a comprehensive defence package that includes mobile launchers, surveillance radars, training, logistics support, and batteries. With this, Indonesia has become the third foreign country to buy BrahMos after the Philippines and Vietnam. BrahMos, jointly developed by India and Russia, is one of the fastest supersonic cruise missiles in the world. It is impossible for countries that are economically and scientifically inferior to develop their own cruise missiles. Since buying them from developed countries requires extremely complex understandings and incurs huge costs, India seems like a reliable option for many countries.

The deal with Indonesia is not only a major boost to India's defence manufacturing sector, but it also tells a different story. This should also be seen as a pact India made with a country that is a close ally of Pakistan. In addition to the Brahmos missile, India has also agreed to provide Indonesia with the indigenously manufactured Astra Mk1 air-to-air missile. Jakarta also expressed interest in purchasing India's electronic voting machines (EVMs). The agreements were finalised after talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto. The deals are of strategic importance as the three countries to which India supplies Brahmos - the Philippines, Vietnam and Indonesia - have disputes with China in the South China Sea.

The agreement was signed by Brahmos Aerospace and the Indonesian Ministry of Defence. This is the first foreign deal for the Astra missile. India and Indonesia's relationship dates back centuries. The second-largest Hindu temple in South Asia is located in the Muslim-majority nation of Indonesia. This huge Shiva temple called Prambanan is more than a thousand years old. Worship services are still being conducted there. It was also decided that India and Indonesia will jointly carry out the renovation of the temple. PM Modi said in his speech that the Indonesian President had invited him to attend the ceremony when the renovation is completed in 2029. PM Modi said he is eager to attend the event.

The two countries signed around 18 MoUs related to various sectors such as maritime economy, trade, port development, AI, energy, tourism, space, and agriculture as part of Modi's visit. The defence agreement also sends a message to the world, especially Western countries, that India has no qualms about sharing advanced technologies and defence deals with trusted partners. At this hour, when even countries, including the UAE, are not content with American protection and are seeking new avenues, the India-Indonesia friendship adds new dimensions.