Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s upcoming visit to Indonesia is expected to give fresh momentum to the growing strategic partnership between the two countries, with discussions likely to cover defence cooperation, maritime security, digital connectivity, trade, critical minerals and several other sectors.

India’s Ambassador to Indonesia, Sandeep Chakravorty, said the relationship between New Delhi and Jakarta has entered a stronger phase following Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto’s visit to India as the Chief Guest for the Republic Day celebrations last year. He said the Prime Minister’s visit is expected to further strengthen this trajectory through a series of new understandings and agreements.

Defence and maritime cooperation likely to receive major push

According to the ambassador, defence and maritime security will remain key pillars of the discussions during the visit.

He highlighted Indonesia’s strategic location along the Malacca Strait, describing secure sea lanes as vital for both countries and the wider Indo-Pacific region. He stressed that uninterrupted maritime connectivity remains essential for global trade and regional stability.

Without revealing specific details, Chakravorty indicated that the visit could produce significant outcomes in defence cooperation, saying several important announcements are expected.

‘BrahMos Plus’ hints at broader defence partnership

The ambassador also suggested that defence ties between India and Indonesia are moving beyond discussions centred on the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile.

Responding to a question about future cooperation, he remarked that the next phase would be “BrahMos Plus,” while refraining from providing further details.

He said future collaboration is expected to focus on defence manufacturing, technology partnerships, training and capacity building. India, he noted, has emerged as an important exporter of defence equipment and could support Indonesia’s efforts to strengthen its domestic defence manufacturing capabilities.

Military cooperation is also expanding, with India set to participate with troops for the first time in the multinational Garuda Shield military exercise after previously attending as an observer.

Digital connectivity and UPI integration gain momentum

Digital cooperation is expected to be another major highlight of the visit.

The ambassador said Indonesia is preparing to launch its Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC)-inspired platform during Prime Minister Modi’s visit, making it the fastest international adopter of India’s digital public infrastructure model.

The initiative is expected to support nearly 65 million micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Indonesia by creating a more open digital commerce ecosystem.

Chakravorty also said discussions on integrating India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) with Indonesia’s payment systems have reached an advanced stage.

While technical integration remains complex due to Indonesia’s multiple payment-switch networks, he expressed confidence that progress would continue and the Prime Minister’s visit could accelerate the process.

Critical minerals and investment to feature prominently

Critical minerals are also expected to be a major area of cooperation as both countries look to strengthen supply chains for clean energy technologies and electric vehicle manufacturing.

Indonesia possesses significant reserves of nickel and other strategic minerals, while India is seeking reliable supplies to support its manufacturing ambitions.

The ambassador said India plans to invest in processing critical minerals within Indonesia rather than importing only raw materials. He added that such investments would support industrial development in both countries while contributing to India’s self-reliance goals.

Cultural ties to be highlighted

Apart from strategic and economic cooperation, the visit is also expected to showcase the longstanding cultural relationship between India and Indonesia.

Both countries will launch a 15-month programme commemorating Rabindranath Tagore’s 1927 visit to Indonesia, recognising his influence on the country’s educational and cultural landscape.

Prime Minister Modi is also expected to visit Yogyakarta, a city known for its historic temples, reflecting the deep civilisational links shared by the two nations.

With cooperation expanding across defence, digital infrastructure, trade and critical minerals, the visit is expected to mark another important step in strengthening the India-Indonesia strategic partnership and advancing cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region.

The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust has accepted the resignation of its General Secretary, Champat Rai, following the controversy surrounding the alleged theft of cash donations at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya.

According to sources, Bajrang Bagra has emerged as one of the leading contenders for the post. Bagra currently serves as the International General Secretary of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP). A chartered accountant by profession and a former head of PSU NALCO, he is considered to have the administrative and financial expertise required as the Trust moves into its next phase.

Sources indicated that the Trust is looking to appoint someone with strong experience in governance, finance and institutional administration to strengthen its functioning.

Although Champat Rai has stepped down as General Secretary, sources said he is expected to continue as a trustee unless he decides otherwise.

Decision on successor may come after VHP executive meeting

The appointment of the next General Secretary is unlikely to be announced immediately. The VHP’s biannual national executive meeting is scheduled to take place in Delhi on July 19 and 20, where several organisational decisions, including transfers and appointments, are expected to be discussed.

Champat Rai and trustee Anil Mishra had submitted their resignations after Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath reportedly took a firm stand on the alleged donation theft. Their resignations came after the Special Investigating Team (SIT) submitted its preliminary findings into the case.

Donation theft investigation

According to the preliminary investigation, temple staff responsible for counting cash donations allegedly siphoned off money despite CCTV cameras being installed at the counting centre. The report stated that the footage was not monitored regularly, allowing the alleged theft to continue. Reports suggest that around Rs 7 crore to Rs 7.5 crore may be missing.

So far, eight people have been arrested in connection with the case. Among them is Ram Shankar Yadav, also known as Tinnu Yadav, who worked as Champat Rai’s driver.

Sources said Champat Rai has told his close associates that Tinnu Yadav played the central role in the alleged fraud and misused the trust placed in him. According to the sources, Rai also claimed that when Yadav feared he would be caught, he leaked information to a Samajwadi Party leader.

The other accused arrested in the case are Avinash Shukla, Anukalp Mishra, Lav Kush Mishra, Manish Kumar Yadav, Karunesh Pandey, Ramashankar Mishra and Subhash Srivastava.

The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust is scheduled to hold an important meeting on Monday in Ayodhya as investigations into the alleged embezzlement of temple donations continue. The deliberations are expected to focus on the resignations submitted by the Trust’s general secretary Champat Rai and trustee Anil Mishra, along with other administrative matters.

The meeting will be held at Mani Ram Chhawni, the monastery of Trust president Nritya Gopal Das. It will be the Trust’s first formal gathering since allegations related to the alleged theft of donations came to light.

Trust treasurer Govind Dev Giri has invited all regular and ex-officio members to participate in the meeting. The ex-officio members include Union Home Ministry Additional Secretary Prashant Lokhande, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister’s Additional Chief Secretary Sanjay Prasad, Ayodhya District Magistrate Shashank Tripathi and former Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister Nripendra Mishra.

According to sources, Trust president Nritya Gopal Das is expected to attend the meeting after recently being discharged from hospital. The 89-year-old had been admitted in Lucknow on June 29 due to a urinary tract infection and breathing-related complications before being discharged on Friday.

Senior trustee K Parasaran, who is unable to travel because of age-related health issues, is likely to participate through video conferencing, according to sources.

Administrative changes may be discussed

The Trust is expected to consider the resignations of Champat Rai and Anil Mishra, who stepped down after their names surfaced in connection with the donation theft controversy. If the resignations are accepted, discussions may also take place on restructuring the Trust’s administrative setup.

The role of special invitee Gopal Rao is also likely to come up during the meeting. Besides leadership issues, trustees are expected to receive a briefing on the interim findings of the Special Investigation Team (SIT), which is conducting an administrative inquiry into the alleged embezzlement case.

The Trust may also review its future management framework, including the possible appointment of a chief executive officer to oversee the administration of the Ram Temple.

Financial statements to be placed before trustees

Sources said the meeting agenda also includes the presentation of the unaudited income and expenditure statement, balance sheet and other financial documents for the 2025-26 financial year for approval.

Speaking to reporters, special invitee Gopal Rao said all 14 trustees had been invited for the meeting and expressed hope that every member would attend. He added that Trust treasurer Govind Dev Giri had informed all members about the scheduled deliberations.

At present, the Trust has 11 regular members, including president Nritya Gopal Das, Vasudevanand Saraswati, Vishwaprasannatirth, Parmanand Giri, Govind Dev Giri, Krishna Mohan, Dinendra Das and K Parasaran.

Following the resignations of Champat Rai and Anil Mishra, along with the recent demise of trustee Bimlendra Mohan Pratap Mishra, the Trust currently has no vice president to chair meetings in the absence of the president.

Two parallel investigations underway

The meeting comes while two separate investigations into the alleged donation embezzlement are ongoing. The Special Investigation Team is carrying out an administrative probe, and its tenure has been extended until the end of July.

Meanwhile, the police are conducting a criminal investigation after an FIR was registered on the Trust’s complaint.

According to sources, statements of Champat Rai, Anil Mishra and special invitee Gopal Rao have been recorded by both the SIT and the police. However, no FIR has been registered against any of the three Trust functionaries so far.