Prabowo, Modi advance strategic Sabang-Andaman port partnership

Jakarta (ANTARA) - President Prabowo Subianto reaffirmed Indonesia's commitment to strengthening maritime connectivity with India through the joint development of strategic ports in Sabang, Aceh, and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

Speaking during a joint press statement with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Merdeka Palace in Jakarta on Tuesday, Prabowo said the two ports would serve as a strategic maritime link to deepen economic cooperation and strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries.

"I express my support for the development of ports in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, as well as the development and expansion of Sabang Port in Aceh, as a strategic link between Sabang Island and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands in India," Prabowo said.

The President expressed optimism that stronger maritime connectivity would facilitate trade and investment, improve logistics, and promote greater people-to-people exchanges through enhanced regional mobility.

Prabowo emphasized that Indonesia and India regard economic cooperation as one of the key pillars of their bilateral partnership. He said both countries remain committed to expanding collaboration across various strategic sectors to generate tangible benefits for their peoples.

He also expressed hope that the development of the maritime corridor would become a concrete step toward strengthening the Indonesia–India strategic partnership and enhancing cooperation across the broader Indo-Pacific region.

Geographically, Sabang, located on Weh Island in Aceh, lies about 700 kilometers southeast of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and approximately 160 kilometers from India's Great Nicobar Project.

Both locations overlook the northern entrance to the Strait of Malacca, one of the world's busiest maritime chokepoints through which a substantial share of global trade and energy shipments passes.

Indonesia and India are also pursuing efforts to establish direct shipping routes between Sabang and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands while expanding cooperation in fisheries, rare earth minerals, and regional trade.

Related news: Prabowo says Indonesia-India partnership key to regional stability

Related news: Indonesia, India advance QR payment, trade cooperation

Related news: Indonesia, India sign 16 cooperation agreements

Translator: Maria Cicilia Galuh Prayudhia, Yashinta Difa

Editor: M Razi Rahman

Copyright © ANTARA 2026