SHASH2K2
New Member
- Joined
- May 10, 2010
- Messages
- 5,711
- Likes
- 730
India and Indonesia: China worries
During his visit to India last year, President Barack Obama urged India to engage East and South-East Asian countries "to enhance security and prosperity of all our nations".
Indians are doing exactly that: the chief guest at India's 62nd Republic Day celebrations this week was Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, the Indonesian president – head of state of a formidable naval power that India views as a strategic partner.
The President's two-day visit culminated not only in an expansion of strategic military co-operation agreements but also in trade deals worth more than $15bn – matching the agreements signed with other leaders who visited India last year.
It is not the first time New Delhi has made such use of the Republic Day invitation : in 2009, Lee Myung-bak, South Korea's president was chief guest at the ceremony, and shortly afterwards India started working on a free trade agreement with South Korea.
The annual celebration is no longer a purely military display to show down the neighbouring rivals. Rather it has become a diplomatic exercise as the annual event coincides with trade deals alongside expanding defence agreements with like-minded neighbours.
Indonesia is an important supplier of raw materials and fuel to India while big Indian conglomerates have invested in the country's infrastructure, mining, IT and banks. This year's celebrations coincided with Indian companies winning contracts to build airports, shipyards and coal-mines across Indonesia. GVK, the Indian infrastructure development firm, will construct airports in Java and Bali, while Adani, the energy group, will build a 270-km railway line and a coal terminal in Southern Sumatra.
In the political realm, the two countries share lively domestic political scenes, recently acquired G-20 status, economic interests and above all, fears of a rising China.
Indonesia has been keen on learning from the Indian defence sector, including training and hardware manufacturing. India hopes that co-operation with Indonesia will restrain growing Chinese presence in the Indian Ocean – from the Bay of Bengal to the straits of Malacca.
Likewise, India's engagement with South Korea has involved a similar collaboration in defence manufacturing as well as investments crucial to both countries' economic prosperity and regional security.
China's rise has led to a recalibration of regional politics, bringing together previously distant partners into alliances.
During his visit to India last year, President Barack Obama urged India to engage East and South-East Asian countries "to enhance security and prosperity of all our nations".
Indians are doing exactly that: the chief guest at India's 62nd Republic Day celebrations this week was Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, the Indonesian president – head of state of a formidable naval power that India views as a strategic partner.
The President's two-day visit culminated not only in an expansion of strategic military co-operation agreements but also in trade deals worth more than $15bn – matching the agreements signed with other leaders who visited India last year.
It is not the first time New Delhi has made such use of the Republic Day invitation : in 2009, Lee Myung-bak, South Korea's president was chief guest at the ceremony, and shortly afterwards India started working on a free trade agreement with South Korea.
The annual celebration is no longer a purely military display to show down the neighbouring rivals. Rather it has become a diplomatic exercise as the annual event coincides with trade deals alongside expanding defence agreements with like-minded neighbours.
Indonesia is an important supplier of raw materials and fuel to India while big Indian conglomerates have invested in the country's infrastructure, mining, IT and banks. This year's celebrations coincided with Indian companies winning contracts to build airports, shipyards and coal-mines across Indonesia. GVK, the Indian infrastructure development firm, will construct airports in Java and Bali, while Adani, the energy group, will build a 270-km railway line and a coal terminal in Southern Sumatra.
In the political realm, the two countries share lively domestic political scenes, recently acquired G-20 status, economic interests and above all, fears of a rising China.
Indonesia has been keen on learning from the Indian defence sector, including training and hardware manufacturing. India hopes that co-operation with Indonesia will restrain growing Chinese presence in the Indian Ocean – from the Bay of Bengal to the straits of Malacca.
Likewise, India's engagement with South Korea has involved a similar collaboration in defence manufacturing as well as investments crucial to both countries' economic prosperity and regional security.
China's rise has led to a recalibration of regional politics, bringing together previously distant partners into alliances.