THAT India would supply BrahMos missiles to Indonesia, was almost a foregone conclusion when Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi travelled to Jakarta for a State visit. Over time, both the countries have worked together to fulfill common national aspirations and have forged stronger-than-ever bond between themselves. The impetus for all that top-level activity came from Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi and Indonesian President Mr. Prabowo Subianto. In India’s relations with Indonesia, there were a few occasions when things appeared rather uncertain. But that was long ago. Today’s bilateral relations are marked by a rare, personalised comradeship between Mr. Narendra Modi and Mr. Prabowo Subianto -- which even prompted the Indonesian leader to declare on his last India tour that he had had an Indian DNA.

 

The present warmth between the two leaders and the two countries is an outcome of a carefully nurtured relationship over time -- through thick and thin of international realpolitik. The agreement to supply the iconic BrahMos missiles (in addition to other strategic merchandise) to Indonesia, thus, needs to be understood as a natural extension of meaningful friendship. Indonesia is now the second country in the region to start getting BrahMos missiles -- after the Philippines. The importance of India-Indonesia friendship can be understood more deeply from the fact that the two countries have signed several bilateral agreements in multiple areas.

 

This new verve in the bilateral relations between New Delhi and Jakarta must have caused suitable anxieties in a few world capitals all right -- since Mr. Modi’s Jakarta trip also carries a great strategic importance woven around the oceanic chokepoint of Strait of Malacca through which more than 90 per cent of international maritime trade in the region takes place. The Strait of Malacca is in close vicinity of Indonesia and assumes a great importance in its strategic considerations. Not far from this constriction -- approximately 150 kilometers -- is the proposed Great Nicobar Project that India is developing at a huge expense so that it can monitor maritime movement in the region more closely -- and even act tough to control the chokepoint if the need be. For China, in particular, the Strait of Malacca has a critical significance, thanks to the fact that more than 90 per cent of Chinese oceanic trade takes place through this narrow pathway -- with the length of around 900 kilometers, and the breadth of about 65 kilometers in its southern end and about 250 kilometers at its northern end.

 

One of the main purposes of Mr. Modi’s visit to Indonesia was to strengthen the strategic bonding in the region with an eye on certain future eventualities. It is because of this reason that India’s close connect with Indonesia must have cause enough anxiety in Beijing. Over the past some time, India has been attaching a greater importance to building a better and stronger Blue-water Navy and has added important assets to its overall prowess -- endorsing its old epithet of being the Prima Donna of the Indian Ocean.

 

China also has been working on its naval strength pertaining to the Indo-Pacific region, but has often worried about India’s growing naval capabilities. China is sure to view India’s help in arming of Indonesia with BrahMos missiles with a critical eye and may develop deeper anxieties about an eventual moment in the future when Indian naval power may become a point of serious consideration. Of course, India’s strategic planners are fully conscious of the Chinese nervousness, but are determined to build a stronger connect with the Indo-Pacific region. Mr. Narendra Modi’s visit to Jakarta -- and subsequent visits to Australia and New Zealand -- will always be viewed by Beijing with enough unease. A few days ago, China conducted successful trials of strategic missiles in the Pacific region, possibly timing those with Mr. Modi’s visit to the area. That also shows India’s growing clout and strength.