NEW DELHI: Indian Foreign Affairs Minister, S Jaishankar, has embarked on a six-day journey to visit two nations from July 12 to July 18. The voyage will commence with his arrival in Indonesia, where he will actively participate in Foreign Ministers' Meetings under the ASEAN framework on July 13-14.

Following that, he will proceed to Thailand to attend the Mekong Ganga Cooperation (MGC) Foreign Ministers' Meeting. The Ministry of External Affairs issued a statement on Tuesday confirming these details.

During his visit to Jakarta, Indonesia, Jaishankar will engage in Foreign Ministers' Meetings within the ASEAN framework, which includes ASEAN-India, East Asia Summit, and ASEAN Regional Forum.

Additionally, he is expected to convene bilateral meetings with his counterparts from various other countries. India's proactive involvement in this ASEAN-centric regional structure underscores its unwavering commitment to bolstering ASEAN centrality in the Indo-Pacific region.

India-Indonesia relations: India's Andaman and Nicobar Islands, situated at a crucial juncture, serve as the southernmost point of the country and are a mere 90 nautical miles away from Indonesia. This close geographical proximity situates them at the crossroads between South and Southeast Asia, a region of immense geopolitical significance, as highlighted by the Jakarta Post.

Moreover, this intersection is characterized by vital Sea Lines of Communication (SLOC) and maritime choke points, acting as crucial lifelines for the entire area's economic well-being. Given their status as maritime powers, Indonesia and India assume pivotal roles as de facto guardians of this region, serving as transit points for approximately 60% of global maritime trade.

Considering the significant strategic interests at stake, it becomes mutually advantageous for both Indonesia and India, as Indo-Pacific countries, to fortify and expand their bilateral partnership, effectively navigating the ever-evolving geopolitical and economic landscape of the region. The strategic partnership between Indonesia and India has demonstrated steady progress, evident in its expanding breadth and depth.

However, their cooperation's strengthening goes beyond mere material power and geographical proximity. The growing convergence of perceptions, concerns, and objectives between New Delhi and Jakarta further amplifies their collaborative efforts in addressing shared challenges and pursuing common goals.

In 2018, India and Indonesia elevated their relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership, introducing a new joint naval exercise named Samudera Shakti. This exercise focuses on war-fighting capabilities, augmenting their bilateral strategic partnership. Additionally, both nations actively explore opportunities to establish robust maritime connectivity, aligning with India's Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Indonesia's Aceh Island.

India can extend support to Indonesia's goal of ensuring regional security beyond the United States-China dichotomy. India's involvement offers a complementary approach that transcends the binary framework and contributes to stability in the region.

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