Indonesia seeks wider access to India for manufactured exports
Trade Minister Budi Santoso discussed certification requirements, bilateral trade commitments and Indian investment opportunities with a business delegation.
Indonesia's Trade Minister Budi Santoso discussed expanding manufactured exports to India with an Indian business delegation on October 15. The meeting took place during Trade Expo Indonesia 2026 at ICE BSD in Tangerang, Banten.
In a statement issued on October 16, Santoso said closer cooperation between businesses and the government was needed to help Indonesian goods enter the Indian market, including by meeting certification requirements set by Indian authorities.
He also called for further exploration of bilateral trade negotiations to tackle barriers, saying stronger trade commitments could broaden access for Indonesian products. The delegation and minister discussed potential Indian investment in automotive manufacturing, furniture and strategic minerals, including rare earth metals.
Trade between the countries totalled US$16.62 billion during January-August 2026. Indonesia exported US$12.81 billion to India and imported US$3.81 billion, recording a surplus of US$8.99 billion.
For 2025, bilateral trade stood at US$23.13 billion, with Indonesian exports worth US$18.30 billion and imports worth US$4.84 billion. Indonesia's surplus was US$13.46 billion.
Coal, palm oil and stainless steel were among Indonesia's leading exports to India in 2025, alongside industrial monocarboxylic fatty acids and artificial corundum. Major imports from India included beef, peanuts, goods-transport vehicles, tractor parts and tobacco.
