-Backdrop-Indonesian President's ongoing visit in India.
-What are the potentials of a strong friendship with Indonesia?
>Strategic potential.
Due to the location of Indonesia straddling both Indian and Pacific Oceans,it can virtually control all the straits linking Southern Indian Ocean to the South China Sea.
Indonesia has only recently started to think of making use of this advantage of its strategic location.India should strike the iron when it is hot.
Indonesia could play a stabilising role against the rising hegemony of China in the region,especially in South China Sea.
India and Indonesia could act as partners of security in the region.
>Societal.
Indonesia,having strong Muslim population,is now waging a battle to protect its society's plurality,where the right of minorities are often infringed.
India also faces similar problems.
India and Indonesia could cooperate on strategies to resolve this problem.
India could advocate for Indonesia's admission in India-Brazil-South Africa forum as a pluralist society,to strengthen Indonesia's democratic credentials.
>Economic potential.
Investing in a foreign country is a stronger tool of influence than trade.
India already has good investments in coal,textile,steel and banking sectors in Indonesia.
But investments in manufacturing has to pick up.
>Soft diplomacy.
In the areas of education,culture and people-to-people relationships.
A thrust could be given to Indian Council for Cultural Relations scholarships in Indian universities.
Increased slots for training under the Indian Technical and Economic Corporation programme.
Closer academic exchanges.
Vocational training by Indian companies in Indonesia.
India could also learn lessons on tourism promotion from Indonesia — from Bali, for instance, where Indians rank high in the list of nationalities visiting that island.
India could also learn from Bali about a more ‘simple’ Hinduism that is relatively free from caste and sectarian divisions.
Sourcece:The Hindu
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