IIM Bangalore to set up campus in Indonesia, says PM Modi
India and Indonesia on Tuesday signed a series of agreements to deepen cooperation in technology, education, startups and space, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi announcing that the Indian Institute of Management Bangalore (IIM Bangalore) will establish a branch campus at Singhasari Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Indonesia.
The announcement came after bilateral talks between Prime Minister Modi and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto during the Prime Minister’s official visit to Jakarta. The two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to expanding collaboration in emerging technologies while creating greater opportunities for the youth of both countries.
Addressing a joint press conference, Modi said India and Indonesia would leverage their demographic strengths by strengthening cooperation in artificial intelligence (AI), telecommunications and digital public infrastructure.
“The 21st century is driven by technology. Both India and Indonesia are nations brimming with youthful energy, and our youth possess a natural aptitude for technology,” the Prime Minister said.
He said the two sides had signed a “significant agreement” to enhance technological cooperation in AI, telecommunications and digital public infrastructure, while also agreeing to deepen collaboration between startups in the two countries.
A key outcome of the visit was the decision to establish an overseas campus of IIM Bangalore in Indonesia.
“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,” Modi said.
The proposed campus at Singhasari SEZ is expected to strengthen India’s educational engagement with Southeast Asia and provide world-class management education to students from Indonesia and across the ASEAN region.
Welcoming the announcement, Pan-IIT Chairman Prabhat Kumar said the decision reflects India’s emergence as a trusted global knowledge and innovation partner. “The announcement on setting up the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Bangalore branch campus at Singhasari SEZ, Indonesia, by Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi reflects India’s emergence as a trusted global knowledge and innovation partner. These initiatives will strengthen research, entrepreneurship, talent development and academic collaboration across continents,” Prabhat Kumar said in a statement.
He noted that the Indian Institutes of Technology already have a strong and active presence across ASEAN through the Government of India’s ASEAN PhD Fellowship Programme (APFP), which enables talented students from ASEAN member countries to pursue doctoral studies at India’s premier technological institutions.” PanIIT welcomes this growing international footprint of India’s premier institutions under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi,” Kumar added.
India and Indonesia also agreed to deepen cooperation in the space sector through joint research, technology sharing and capacity building. “We have shared a trusted, decades-long partnership in the space sector. Building upon this, key decisions regarding joint research, technology sharing and capacity building have been taken today,” Modi said. The Prime Minister also announced that both countries would share best practices in sustainable agriculture and agro-technology as part of efforts to broaden cooperation across key sectors.
Earlier in the day, Modi received a ceremonial welcome in Jakarta, where President Prabowo accorded him a Guard of Honour, accompanied by horse-mounted escorts and traditional cultural performances. The two leaders greeted each other warmly before holding delegation-level talks. Ahead of the visit, Modi had said his tour of Indonesia, followed by Australia and New Zealand, would reinforce India’s Act East Policy, MAHASAGAR Vision and commitment to a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific.
During his visit, the Prime Minister is also scheduled to interact with members of the Indian diaspora and accompany President Prabowo to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Prambanan Temple Complex in Yogyakarta, symbolising the deep civilisational ties between India and Indonesia. The Indonesia visit marks the first leg of Modi’s three-nation tour, after which he will travel to Australia and New Zealand.
