In a landmark development for South East Asian diplomacy, Việt Nam and Indonesia have elevated their bilateral relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, heralding a new chapter of deepened cooperation across political, economic, and security spheres. The agreement, announced during high-level talks in Jakarta on Monday, underscores a shared commitment to regional stability and prosperity as both nations mark the 70th anniversary of diplomatic ties.
The historic upgrade was formalised during discussions between Việt Nam’s Party General Secretary Tô Lâm and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, who also leads the Great Indonesia Movement Party (Gerindra). Following a ceremonial welcome for Tô Lâm and his delegation, who are on a state visit from 9-11 March, the leaders outlined an ambitious vision for collaboration that aligns with their mutual aspirations to become high-income nations by 2045.
A Shared Vision for Progress
President Subianto highlighted the significance of the visit, noting the deep historical parallels and common values between the two countries. “Việt Nam remains an important partner for Indonesia in the region,” he said, expressing a desire to further strengthen ties (Vietnam News, 11 March 2025). Tô Lâm echoed this sentiment, affirming Việt Nam’s high regard for Indonesia’s regional role and commending its recent achievements. He expressed optimism about Indonesia achieving an annual growth rate of 8 per cent, positioning it as a developed nation by its centennial in 2045. 
The decision to elevate ties builds on the Strategic Partnership established in 2013, which has fostered robust friendship and cooperation. The new Comprehensive Strategic Partnership aims to serve the interests of both nations while contributing to peace and development within ASEAN and beyond. Both leaders agreed to intensify high-level exchanges, enhance bilateral mechanisms, and develop a detailed Action Plan to expand collaboration across multiple domains.
Deepening Security and Defence Ties
A key focus of the talks was strengthening defence and security cooperation, reflecting the growing complexity of regional challenges. The leaders committed to closer collaboration in intelligence sharing, search and rescue operations, and combating transnational crimes such as online fraud, human trafficking, forced labour, and terrorism. This emphasis on security underscores the shared recognition of non-traditional threats that transcend borders, necessitating joint efforts to safeguard stability in South East Asia.
The agreement also extends to maritime security, with both sides reiterating the importance of maintaining peace, stability, and freedom of navigation in the East Sea, internationally known as the South China Sea. They stressed the need for peaceful dispute resolution and adherence to international law, particularly the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). This stance aligns with ASEAN’s broader efforts to manage tensions in the contested waters, where overlapping territorial claims have long been a flashpoint.
Economic Ambitions and Emerging Sectors
Economic cooperation emerged as a cornerstone of the upgraded partnership, with a target to achieve US$18 billion in bilateral trade turnover in the near future. Both nations pledged to remove trade barriers and facilitate business activities, particularly in agriculture and aquaculture exports. The leaders also committed to creating favourable conditions for mutual investments, with a keen focus on emerging sectors such as the digital economy, green economy, and energy transition.
Specific areas of collaboration include the development of electric vehicle ecosystems, e-commerce, smart delivery systems, digital payments, and AI-driven technological solutions. Additionally, cooperation in halal-certified products was highlighted, reflecting Indonesia’s significant Muslim population and Việt Nam’s growing interest in this market. The emphasis on digital transformation and innovation signals a forward-looking approach, positioning both countries to leverage technological advancements for economic growth.
Several cooperation documents were exchanged during the visit, including Letters of Intent on technical and digital economy capacity-building between Việt Nam’s Ministry of Industry and Trade and Indonesia’s Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs, as well as on science, technology, and innovation between relevant ministries. An Implementation Agreement on aquaculture cooperation was also signed, further cementing sectoral ties.
Building People-to-People Connections
Beyond state-level agreements, the leaders underscored the importance of fostering people-to-people exchanges, particularly among younger generations. Such initiatives aim to deepen cultural understanding and strengthen the social fabric of the partnership. By nurturing grassroots connections, Việt Nam and Indonesia hope to sustain the goodwill that has defined their relationship for seven decades.
Tô Lâm extended an invitation to President Subianto to visit Việt Nam, alongside a request for Indonesian leaders to attend the fourth Partnering for Green Growth and the Global Goals (P4G) Summit in Hà Nội this April. Subianto’s acceptance of both invitations signals a commitment to maintaining the momentum of this upgraded partnership.
ASEAN Unity and Regional Stability
The talks also reaffirmed both nations’ dedication to a stronger, more unified ASEAN bloc capable of upholding its central role in regional affairs. As influential members of the association, Việt Nam and Indonesia share a vision of ASEAN as a stabilising force amid global uncertainties. Their alignment on key issues, from maritime security to economic integration, bodes well for collective efforts to address challenges facing South East Asia.
The focus on the South China Sea is particularly noteworthy, given the ongoing geopolitical tensions in the region. While no specific claims or disputes were mentioned during the talks, the joint emphasis on UNCLOS and peaceful resolution serves as a subtle reminder of the need for dialogue over confrontation. If sustained, this collaborative stance could contribute to de-escalating tensions, though analysts note that broader regional consensus remains elusive.
A Milestone with Broader Implications
The elevation of Việt Nam-Indonesia relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership marks a significant milestone, not only for the two nations but for ASEAN as a whole. It reflects a maturing of bilateral ties at a time when South East Asia faces multifaceted challenges, from economic recovery to geopolitical rivalries. By prioritising cooperation in defence, trade, and innovation, both countries are positioning themselves as proactive players in shaping the region’s future.
For Việt Nam, the partnership reinforces its strategy of diversifying international relations while maintaining a central role in ASEAN. Indonesia, under Subianto’s leadership, appears equally committed to leveraging such alliances to bolster its regional influence. The shared goal of achieving developed nation status by 2045 provides a unifying narrative, though the path to such ambitious targets will require sustained policy coordination and mutual support.
Challenges and Opportunities Ahead
While the agreement paints an optimistic picture, challenges remain in translating commitments into tangible outcomes. Economic targets, such as the US$18 billion trade goal, will depend on overcoming bureaucratic hurdles and aligning regulatory frameworks. Similarly, cooperation in emerging sectors like the digital economy requires significant investment in infrastructure and skills development, areas where both nations face domestic constraints.
Security collaboration, particularly in combating transnational crime, may also encounter operational difficulties, given the sophisticated nature of threats like online fraud and human trafficking. If successful, however, these joint efforts could serve as a model for other ASEAN countries grappling with similar issues. The conditional nature of some outcomes—such as the impact of digital partnerships on economic growth—remains subject to future developments, with no definitive evidence yet confirming their transformative potential.
Culturally, the emphasis on people-to-people exchanges offers a promising avenue for fostering mutual understanding, though initiatives must be carefully designed to engage diverse communities across both nations. Việt Nam’s multi-ethnic society and Indonesia’s vast archipelago present unique opportunities to showcase cultural richness, provided efforts avoid superficial engagement.
ASEAN Forward
As Việt Nam and Indonesia embark on this new phase of their relationship, the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership stands as a testament to the power of dialogue and shared purpose. The agreements reached in Jakarta this week lay a strong foundation for collaboration, with implications that extend beyond bilateral ties to influence ASEAN’s trajectory.
For now, the focus will be on implementing the Action Plan and ensuring that commitments translate into meaningful progress. With both leaders expressing confidence in their shared vision, the partnership offers a glimpse of what South East Asian cooperation can achieve when driven by mutual respect and ambition. As Tô Lâm’s visit concludes, the message is clear: Việt Nam and Indonesia are ready to shape a future that benefits not just their citizens, but the wider region and the world.
