Following his attendance at India’s Republic Day celebrations on January 26, 2025, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has canceled his trip to Pakistan. In light of its strategy of de-hyphenation with regard to its neighbor, India feels it undesirable that he would combine his tour to India with a future travel to Pakistan. This decision comes after diplomatic efforts to discourage him from doing so.
The Indonesian president had originally intended to visit Pakistan right after New Delhi, but after India formally voiced its disapproval, this was changed. Indian authorities expressed apprehension regarding the possible connection between the two visits, stressing the significance of preserving separate diplomatic ties with both nations.
Following his visit to India, President Subianto is now anticipated to go to Malaysia rather than Pakistan. This is more in line with India’s diplomatic inclinations and the current defense talks between Indonesia and India.
At the same time, Indonesia’s military ministry has applied to India for a $450 million loan to buy BrahMos missiles, which are a joint Russian-Indian creation. This agreement is noteworthy because it shows how the two countries’ defense cooperation is growing in the face of Indonesia’s expanding military might.
Given Indonesia’s recent admission to BRICS and its consequences for defense cooperation with India, this scenario exemplifies the strategic interests at stake and the difficulties of regional diplomacy.
