NSA Ajit Doval To Meet Indonesian Counterpart In New Delhi

India's National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and his Indonesian counterpart Mohammad Mahfud are to meet in Delhi on Tuesday. Maritime cooperation and a meeting of Ulemas are the main topics of discussion.

Mahfud is Indonesia's coordinating minister for political, legal and security affairs, and his visit to India begins Monday night.

The visit is reciprocal, following NSA Doval's visit to the ASEAN country earlier this year for the 2nd India-Indonesia Security Dialogue. 

Minister Mahfud agreed to visit India and proposed a joint Ulemas dialogue between the two countries during his visit. His delegation includes representatives from the most senior Ulemas as well as representatives from other faiths such as Hindus and Christians.

The Ulema meeting will be the main focus of his visit, with Indian and Indonesian Ulemas holding day-long talks in the Indian capital. NSA Doval and Minister Mahfud will preside over the meeting.

According to the media report, the meeting will increase “familiarity” between the two sides’ Ulemas and “introduce people from both sides in a structured manner.”

When asked how both sides will use the meeting, with an emphasis on deradicalisation, sources said that issue would be discussed, noting that Delhi and Jakarta already engaged in law enforcement. Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind, Muslim Student Organisation and the Bohra community will be among those representing India.

Ulemas are respected figures in Islamic society, and the meeting is seen as a way to advance cooperation, promote tolerance, harmony, and counter violent extremism and radicalisation.

The meeting is also expected to discuss the two countries' growing defence cooperation. While no official announcement has been made, Indonesia may become the second ASEAN country to receive Brahmos missiles from India. Other discussion topics have included the Indo-Pacific, with Jakarta seen as a thought leader in ASEAN's Indo-Pacific strategy.

The Indonesian Minister's visit concludes on 1 December. The Indonesian delegation will travel to Agra to see the Taj Mahal on Wednesday.