The Indonesian Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM), Bahlil Lahadalia, recently accompanied President Prabowo Subianto on a state visit to New Delhi, India. This visit, commemorating India’s 76th Republic Day and marking 75 years of diplomatic relations between the two nations, served as a platform to enhance bilateral ties across various sectors, including energy.

Minister Bahlil emphasized Indonesia’s commitment to achieving energy self-sufficiency by fostering energy cooperation with India. “The President has provided clear directions on prioritizing Indonesia’s energy self-sufficiency. The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources is fully prepared to support this initiative, particularly through strategic collaborations with India in clean and renewable energy investments,” he stated during the meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on January 25, 2025.

Focus on Renewable Energy and Biofuel Development

A significant focus of the cooperation lies in clean energy investments, including geothermal, solar energy, and sustainable biofuels like bioethanol and bioavtur. Bahlil highlighted the potential for collaboration in these areas, aligning with Indonesia’s vision to leverage its natural resources sustainably.

“India has immense potential to support the development of biofuels and renewable energy in Indonesia. Through this collaboration, both nations can contribute to global sustainability and decarbonization goals,” Bahlil added.

One of the key frameworks facilitating this partnership is the Indonesia-India Energy Forum (IIEF), where both countries engage in strategic discussions on oil, gas, renewable energy, and coal. India has also championed initiatives such as the Global Biofuel Alliance (GBA), launched during the G20 Summit in 2023, to promote biofuel adoption globally. Indonesia’s participation underscores its commitment to advancing bioethanol, biodiesel, and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).

Mutual Benefits and Global Impact

The energy sector plays a pivotal role in the economies of both Indonesia and India. Through collaborative efforts, these nations aim to ensure not only energy security but also contribute to global sustainability targets. By leveraging each other’s strengths, such as India’s expertise in technology and Indonesia’s abundant natural resources, this partnership holds promise for driving economic growth and reducing carbon emissions.

President Prabowo’s visit to India underscores the importance of bolstering bilateral ties to address common challenges in the energy sector. Initiatives such as investments in renewable energy infrastructure and the development of sustainable biofuels reflect a shared vision for a greener future.

Conclusion

Minister Bahlil’s statement encapsulates the essence of this collaboration: “We want to ensure that Indonesia-India relations in the energy sector continue to grow, not only to meet our countries’ energy needs but also to contribute to global sustainability and decarbonization goals.”

As both nations move forward, their joint efforts in the energy sector are expected to create meaningful impacts, setting an example of how strategic international partnerships can drive progress toward sustainability and energy self-sufficiency.