India and Indonesia are continuing to strengthen their defence relationship through military exchanges and strategic discussions, with a recent visit by an Indian Army delegation highlighting the growing importance of cooperation between the two countries. Officers attending the 55th Army Higher Command Course at the Army War College travelled to Jakarta, Indonesia, on November 11, 2026, for an engagement with the Indonesian National Armed Forces International Cooperation Centre (TNI-ICC).
The visit was aimed at providing Indian military officers with a broader understanding of Indonesia’s defence policies, military structure and approach to national security. It also offered an opportunity for representatives from both countries to exchange views on regional security developments and examine ways to further improve their existing military partnership.
During the visit, the Indian delegation interacted with senior Indonesian military officials, including Brigadier General TNI Perry Sandhi Sitompul, Commander of the TNI-ICC. The Indonesian side presented an overview of its National Defence and Security Strategy, explaining how the country’s armed forces contribute to protecting national interests and maintaining stability.
The briefing covered the responsibilities of the Indonesian National Armed Forces and their involvement in wider national security and development activities. The discussions also provided insights into Indonesia’s strategic priorities and the challenges facing its defence establishment in an increasingly complex regional environment.
For the visiting Indian officers, the interaction was an important learning opportunity. Professional military courses regularly include exposure to international defence institutions to help officers understand different military doctrines, command structures and security perspectives. Such exchanges can contribute to better strategic understanding and strengthen professional relationships between participating armed forces.
The engagement in Jakarta also reflects the wider momentum in India-Indonesia defence cooperation. Both countries have maintained regular military interactions through training programmes, high-level visits, institutional dialogue and joint exercises. These activities support greater familiarity between their armed forces and create opportunities to share operational experience.
A recent example of this partnership was the 2026 edition of Exercise GARUDA SHAKTI, the joint special forces exercise conducted in Indonesia. The exercise commenced on October 27 and concluded on November 5 after 11 days of training. Personnel from India’s Parachute Regiment (Special Forces) participated alongside Indonesian special forces troops.
The training programme involved activities across jungle, island and coastal environments. Both contingents worked on improving tactical coordination, operational preparedness and interoperability through combined training activities. A 48-hour Joint Validation Exercise formed part of the programme, allowing participants to assess their ability to operate together under demanding conditions.
The latest Army War College delegation visit adds another dimension to these ongoing military engagements. While joint exercises focus on practical operational skills, institutional visits provide officers with a better understanding of partner nations’ defence policies, strategic thinking and military organisations.
India and Indonesia share important interests in maintaining peace, stability and security across the Indo-Pacific. Continued military dialogue and professional exchanges can help both nations build trust, improve communication and strengthen their ability to cooperate on shared security concerns.
The Jakarta engagement demonstrates India’s continued focus on developing defence partnerships through sustained interaction rather than limiting cooperation to occasional military exercises. Such exchanges are expected to remain an important part of the evolving strategic relationship between the two countries.
