In a major step towards strengthening educational and technological ties between India and Indonesia, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday announced that the Indian Institute of Management Bangalore (IIM Bangalore) will establish its first international campus in Indonesia. The campus is expected to serve not only Indonesian students but also learners from across the ASEAN region.
The announcement came after bilateral talks between Prime Minister Modi and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, during which the two countries signed a series of agreements covering artificial intelligence (AI), telecommunications, digital public infrastructure, startup collaboration and space research.
The decision marks a significant expansion of India's higher education footprint overseas while reinforcing its growing engagement with Southeast Asia.
IIM Bangalore campus to benefit students across ASEAN
Speaking at a joint press conference with President Prabowo, Prime Minister Modi said both India and Indonesia are young nations with a strong technological talent pool and enormous potential for collaboration.
"We have signed a significant agreement to enhance technological cooperation among our youth in areas such as AI, telecommunications and digital public infrastructure. We have also agreed to deepen startup collaboration between our two nations. We are going to establish a campus of India's prestigious management institute, IIM Bangalore, in Indonesia; this will greatly benefit the youth across the entire ASEAN region," the Prime Minister said according to ANI reports.
Focus on AI, Digital public infrastructure and innovation
Alongside the education initiative, India and Indonesia agreed to work more closely in emerging technologies. The newly signed agreements aim to promote cooperation in artificial intelligence, telecommunications, digital public infrastructure and startup ecosystems.
Prime Minister Modi said the two countries would also exchange best practices in sustainable farming and agri-technology, describing technology as the driving force of the 21st century.
He noted that the youthful populations of both countries provide a strong foundation for innovation-led partnerships and long-term economic cooperation.
Space partnership set for expansion
Highlighting the longstanding relationship between the two countries in space science, Prime Minister Modi said fresh decisions had been taken on joint research, technology sharing and capacity building.
According to the Prime Minister, the new initiatives build upon decades of cooperation and are expected to open new opportunities in advanced scientific research and technological development.
Prime Minister Modi visit marks the first leg of the Prime Minister's three-nation tour, which also includes Australia and New Zealand.
(Inputs from ANI)
