India’s first Republic Day guest was from Indonesia, President Sukarno, a key ally of country’s Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru during the golden years of the non-aligned movement. India and Indonesia have shared over two thousand years of strong cultural and commercial connections, with Hindu, Buddhist, and Muslim traditions spreading from India to Indonesia. Indonesia’s folk art and theater are deeply influenced by stories from the Ramayana and Mahabharata.Indonesia has become one of India’s largest trade partners in the ASEAN region, with total bilateral trade reaching US$ 26.69 billion in 2023-24. India is the second-largest importer of coal and crude palm oil from Indonesia and also imports minerals, rubber, pulp and paper, and hydrocarbons.On the other hand, India exports refined petroleum products, commercial vehicles, telecommunication equipment, agricultural produce, bovine meat, steel products, and plastics to Indonesia.Indonesia is also an attractive destination for Indian investment, with around 30 Indian joint ventures and investments in the country. .
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