by Sandiaga S. Uno, Entrepreneur, Former Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy of Indonesia (2020–2024)
The relationship between Indonesia and India has always felt personal to me. As a child, some of my favorite comic books were the trilogies Mahabharata, Baratayudha, and Pandawa Sedha. Among them, the Bhagavad Gita left the deepest impression. Through these stories, I discovered timeless lessons on leadership, integrity, and duty, while also appreciating the deep cultural ties that have connected Indonesia and India for centuries.
Years later, during my visit to Goa as Indonesia’s Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy, I experienced another dimension of that connection. Standing along India’s western coast, I was reminded that our relationship has never been defined merely by geography. For centuries, the seas connected our civilizations through trade, culture, and the exchange of ideas. Today, those same maritime links can become bridges for innovation, entrepreneurship, and sustainable growth.
The world is entering a new era of development. Economic success is no longer measured solely by growth, but by how inclusive, resilient, and sustainable that growth is. As climate change, digital transformation, and geopolitical shifts reshape the global landscape, Indonesia and India with more than 1.7 billion people, vibrant democracies, and entrepreneurial societies are uniquely positioned to lead the Indo-Pacific toward a greener and more prosperous future.
I witnessed this potential firsthand during my visit to India in 2024. In discussions with entrepreneurs, investors, creative communities, and government leaders, I found a shared belief that the future belongs not to competition alone, but to collaboration, innovation, and entrepreneurship.
Our relationship extends far beyond trade. It is rooted in shared values, cultural affinity, and a common aspiration for inclusive prosperity. Indonesia’s exports to India reached approximately US$18 billion in 2025, yet I believe our greatest opportunities still lie ahead.
Throughout my career as an entrepreneur and public servant, I have believed that sustainable development begins with empowering people. That conviction inspired initiatives such as OK OCE, which encourages entrepreneurship; Yayasan Indonesia Setara (YIS), which promotes education and youth leadership; INOTEK (Innovation and Technology Foundation), which advances rural innovation; and Surplus Indonesia, a technology-driven social enterprise tackling food waste while strengthening food security. Together, these initiatives reaffirm that real progress is measured by the opportunities we create, the entrepreneurs we nurture, and the lives we improve.
The private sector has already demonstrated what Indonesia and India can achieve together. Global companies such as ArcelorMittal, led by Lakshmi Mittal, and Indorama Corporation, founded by Sri Prakash Lohia, reflect how Indian and Indonesian talent can build world-class enterprises. The next chapter should ensure that this success reaches millions of MSMEs through technology, investment, knowledge exchange, and market access, creating more inclusive growth and quality jobs.
The green economy offers one of the greatest opportunities for partnership. Indonesia possesses extraordinary biodiversity, geothermal resources, and critical minerals essential for the global energy transition, while India has become a global leader in renewable energy, digital innovation, and green manufacturing. Together, we can expand cooperation in clean energy, sustainable finance, the circular economy, climate technology, and responsible investment while creating jobs and protecting the environment.
MSMEs remain the backbone of Indonesia’s economy, while India has built one of the world’s most dynamic entrepreneurial ecosystems. Through business matching, startup incubation, digital transformation, access to finance, and stronger integration into global value chains, our entrepreneurs can unlock opportunities for millions of people.
The creative economy provides another exciting bridge. Indonesia’s cultural diversity inspires world-class fashion, cuisine, music, crafts, films, and digital content, while India has transformed creativity into a global economic force through Bollywood, design, technology, and startups.
I believe our next chapter should be written together. Imagine Bollywood collaborating with Indonesia’s internationally acclaimed horror film industry, combining India’s storytelling scale with Indonesia’s unique cinematic strengths. Imagine Indian music blending with Indonesia’s beloved dangdut, creating fresh sounds that resonate across Asia and beyond. Through co-productions, talent exchanges, creative hubs, cultural festivals, and responsible AI adoption, our creative industries can reach wider global audiences.
Tourism offers another powerful connector. Bali has become one of the favorite destinations for Indian travelers, yet I have always said that Bali is a gateway, not the final destination. From Lake Toba and Borobudur to Labuan Bajo, Raja Ampat, Lombok, Sulawesi, and Kalimantan, Indonesia offers extraordinary experiences that spread opportunities to local communities, MSMEs, creative businesses, and tourism workers across the archipelago.
I am especially delighted to welcome His Excellency Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his upcoming visit to Indonesia. I hope this visit will open a new chapter in our bilateral relationship one that strengthens not only cooperation between governments, but also partnerships among entrepreneurs, universities, investors, startups, creative industries, and young leaders. Under the leadership of President Prabowo Subianto and Prime Minister Modi, I am optimistic that Indonesia and India will deepen their friendship and unlock even greater opportunities for our people.
Ultimately, the future of Indonesia–India relations will be shaped not only by governments, but by entrepreneurs, innovators, academics, students, and creative communities willing to work together across borders.
The success of our partnership should not be measured only by trade or investment, but by the number of MSMEs that become global players, the innovations that improve lives, and, above all, the quality jobs and entrepreneurial opportunities we create for future generations.
Sustainability is ultimately about more than protecting the environment. It is about creating hope, expanding opportunity, and ensuring that no one is left behind. Together, through friendship, innovation, entrepreneurship, and collaboration, Indonesia and India can demonstrate how two great democracies can build a greener, more inclusive, and more prosperous future for the world.
Primus Dorimulu is Founder and CEO of InvestorTrust Media and DataTrust. A veteran Indonesian journalist and publisher, he writes on capital markets, corporate governance, economic policy and regional investment trends.
About the Author
Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno is an Indonesian entrepreneur, investor and former Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy. He has long championed entrepreneurship, innovation, MSME development and Indonesia’s digital economy.
