There is no threat to Sri Lanka from the powerful magnitude 7.7 earthquake that struck off the coast of the Indonesian island of Flores today, the Disaster Management Centre said. 

A powerful magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck Saturday morning, damaging buildings and shocking residents awake, forcing them to flee their homes.

At least one person was killed, according to the national disaster mitigation agency BNPB, which revised down an earlier toll of two.

The earthquake struck around 6 a.m. local time, about 68 kilometers northwest of Ende in East Nusa Tenggara province, according to the US Geological Survey (USGS), and was followed by a series of aftershocks.

It initially had the potential to generate a tsunami, triggering a warning which was later lifted, BNPB said.

About 500,000 people were exposed to very strong or severe shaking, which is capable of slight to moderate damage in well-built structures and serious damage in poorly built structures, according to the USGS.

The quake was felt across Flores, a lush and mountainous island in the Sunda chain, which also includes tourist hotspot Bali. Flores is known for its colorful volcanic lakes and as a gateway to Komodo National Park, home of the largest lizards on Earth. Its population of roughly 2 million is largely spread out in small villages.

Videos posted to social media showed buildings collapsing and panicked residents running and screaming, as dust filled the sky. One video showed damage to a hospital in the village of Aeramo.

About 2,000 residents of Nageko regency evacuated following the quake, as a precautionary measure, BNPB said.

The agency deployed a helicopter along with its emergency response team, noting that the landscape of the area, which consists of many islands, makes access challenging.

Footage from the national search and rescue agency shared by CNN Indonesia showed rescue workers digging through rubble, searching for possible survivors.

A preliminary damage assessment found about 15 buildings had been damaged, including homes and government offices, BNPB said. 

An archipelago of more than 17,000 islands, Indonesia is prone to seismic activity and has suffered several devastating earthquakes in the past. The country sits on the Ring of Fire, a band around the Pacific Ocean that sets off frequent earthquakes and volcanic activity. The ring is one of the most seismically active areas in the world, spanning from Japan and Indonesia on one side of the Pacific to California and South America on the other. (Newswire/CNN)

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By Matija Šerić

These days, in early July, we are witnessing an intense diplomatic offensive by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. After hosting his Japanese counterpart Sanae Takaichi in New Delhi, Modi embarked on a six-day tour of Indonesia, New Zealand, and Australia from 6 to 11 July. His visit to the Republic of Indonesia (6–8 July) is undoubtedly the most significant stop on the trip, as the two countries further strengthened their already existing strategic partnership through a series of concrete agreements.

This is Modi’s first official visit to Indonesia since 2018, and it comes as a reciprocal visit following Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto’s trip to New Delhi in January 2025, when he attended India’s Republic Day celebrations as the guest of honour. Modi last visited Jakarta in 2023 to participate in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit.

A Visit of Great Importance

“Our history is built on shared culture, independence, and mutual trust, and our future will likewise be defined by shared prosperity,” Modi declared during a joint press conference.

Prabowo was even more explicit:

“This visit reflects the commitment of our two countries to continue strengthening our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership through concrete and mutually beneficial cooperation.”

During Modi’s visit to Jakarta, representatives of India and Indonesia signed a series of strategic agreements, including deals on defence cooperation and the supply of critical minerals. In doing so, Prime Minister Modi and President Prabowo gave fresh momentum to India–Indonesia relations, which have often failed to realise the full potential that undoubtedly exists between Asia’s two largest democracies. It is enough to note that there are still no direct flights connecting New Delhi and Jakarta.

A Strategic Partnership Awaiting Full Implementation

India and Indonesia share remarkably deep cultural ties dating back approximately 2,000 years. Throughout history, these connections have manifested themselves through Hinduism, Buddhism, literature, theatre, cuisine, and the trade of spices and textiles.

Although the two countries signed a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Agreement in 2018, it has rarely been implemented to its fullest potential. New Delhi and Jakarta concluded the agreement with the aim of expanding cooperation in national and maritime security, trade, infrastructure development, and economic relations.

The geostrategic significance of the India–Indonesia partnership is underscored by the fact that India’s southernmost territory, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, lies in close proximity to Indonesia’s Aceh Province, adjacent to the Strait of Malacca—one of the world’s most important maritime trade routes. A substantial share of global commerce, including shipments of oil and liquefied natural gas between the Indian and Pacific Oceans, passes through this narrow waterway.

Indonesians Acquire Elite Indian Military Technology

During Modi’s visit to Indonesia, the greatest attention was drawn to two defence agreements that will significantly boost exports of Indian military technology to Indonesia. The agreements include the purchase of India’s BrahMos supersonic cruise missile system and Indian air-to-air missiles for the Indonesian armed forces. The combined value of the two missile deals amounts to approximately $630 million.

India has already exported BrahMos missile systems to the Philippines and Vietnam. The BrahMos is a versatile missile platform that can be launched from land-based batteries, warships, submarines, and combat aircraft. Its supersonic speed reaches up to Mach 3, roughly three times the speed of sound. The system was developed by Indian engineers with assistance from Russian specialists.

It is particularly noteworthy that the agreements on advanced Indian military technology were concluded just one day after China conducted a test launch of a long-range ballistic missile. Indonesia could use BrahMos systems not only to protect its extensive coastline but also to secure maritime routes in disputed areas of the South China Sea and the Strait of Malacca. The most likely potential adversary, of course, would be China.

Viewed in this context, the partnership between India and Indonesia carries considerable strategic significance amid Asia’s increasingly intense arms race.

Advanced Military Technology Gives Indonesia Greater Strategic Autonomy

The acquisition of Indian missile technology enhances Indonesia’s strategic autonomy in the broader Indo-Pacific region. More precisely, Indonesia has no intention of becoming anyone’s satellite state—neither China’s nor America’s.

Jakarta is determined not to take sides in the growing rivalry between China and the United States across the Indo-Pacific. Instead, it seeks to preserve as much freedom of action, independence, and neutrality as possible.

In simple terms, Indonesia aspires to be recognised as a middle power in international relations, and it has strong credentials to support such ambitions: a population of 288 million people (the fourth largest in the world and the largest Muslim-majority country), the world’s 17th-largest economy, a strategic position between Asia and Australia, and membership in the G20, BRICS, and ASEAN.

Indonesia: A Middle Power with Friendly Ties to Russia

This explains why the newly signed agreements with India are so important, as are the defence and economic partnerships Indonesia has previously concluded with South Korea, Japan, Türkiye, Russia, and other countries.

Indonesia, in particular, maintains notably warm relations with Russia. Few people realise that Jakarta did not condemn Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, instead adopting a neutral position.

The breadth of Russian-Indonesian relations was demonstrated by President Prabowo Subianto’s participation as the guest of honour at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum in June 2025. On that occasion, Prabowo and Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a Strategic Partnership Agreement, further elevating bilateral ties.

An Underrated Economic Partnership

While most analysts focus on military cooperation, the economic dimension of India–Indonesia relations is equally significant.

The two countries signed agreements on the development of rare-earth magnets as well as on the exploration, extraction, and processing of critical minerals. As one of the world’s fastest-growing economies, India is eager to diversify its sources of critical minerals. Indonesia, meanwhile, possesses vast reserves of nickel and substantial untapped deposits of rare-earth elements and other strategically important minerals.

These complementary strengths create an opportunity for the establishment of a reliable supply chain between the two countries.

In fiscal year 2024/25, bilateral trade between India and Indonesia reached $28 billion, highlighting the growing importance of their economic relationship.

Indonesians Hold India and Its Prime Minister in High Esteem

The importance Indonesia attaches to India is reflected in two highly symbolic gestures.

The first was Indonesia’s decision to award Prime Minister Narendra Modi its highest civilian honour, the Bintang Adipurna. Accepting the decoration from President Prabowo Subianto, Modi said that the award “belongs to the people of India” and represents a tribute to the enduring friendship between the two nations.

With this latest distinction, Modi has now received at least 35 of the highest state honours from foreign countries—more than any other Indian leader. Admittedly, this remarkable achievement is partly explained by the fact that he has been in office for more than 12 years, making him India’s second-longest-serving prime minister. The record is still held by independent India’s first prime minister, the legendary Jawaharlal Nehru.

Modi has received eight foreign state honours this year alone, while U.S. President Donald Trump has received just one. That fact illustrates the Indian leader’s considerable international standing and suggests that, after Nehru, he has arguably done more than any other prime minister to shape India’s foreign policy and global profile. At present, Modi can certainly be regarded as one of the world’s most respected active statesmen.

The second gesture demonstrating Indonesia’s appreciation of India was its decision to allow Modi to address the People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR). While foreign leaders occasionally address national legislatures around the world, Indonesia grants this privilege only on rare occasions.

Before Modi, only Xi Jinping in 2013 and Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud in 2017 had been given the honour of addressing the Indonesian parliament.

India and Indonesia Demonstrate How Middle Powers Should Conduct Foreign Policy

Given the honours bestowed upon Modi, some observers might describe India and Indonesia as enjoying a brotherly relationship. While such a characterisation may be an exaggeration, there is little doubt that Jakarta and New Delhi currently enjoy the best relations in their modern history. Their partnership could even be compared to the kind of special relationship that exists between the United States and the United Kingdom.

India–Indonesia relations demonstrate that two large neighbouring countries can cooperate successfully without allowing major powers to divide them or draw them into a new Cold War.

India and Indonesia have shown that it is possible to maintain excellent relations simultaneously with Russia and the United States, pursuing national interests without becoming subordinate to either side.

That is a diplomatic balancing act worthy of admiration.

About Matija Šerić

Matija Šerić is a geopolitical analyst and journalist from Croatia and writes on foreign policy, history, economy, society, etc. (Eurasiareview)

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An Indonesian corruption court on Tuesday sentenced former Education Minister Nadiem Makarim, a co-founder of ride- hailing and payments giant Gojek, to 10 years in prison for corruption.

Makarim was found guilty in a case linked to the procurement of Google Chromebooks for schools under the country’s education digitalization program that ran from 2019 to 2022.

An education minister from 2019 to 2024, Makarim was also fined 1 billion Indonesian rupiah ($55,870) and ordered to pay 809.6 billion rupiah in restitution. 

He faces an additional five-year prison term if he fails to repay the amount.

Prosecutors had demanded an 18-year prison sentence for Makarim, a 1 billion rupiah fine, and restitution of 5.6 trillion rupiah.

Indonesia’s Attorney General named Makarim a suspect in September 2025, alleging that he and other officials steered technical specifications toward Google products under the education digitalization program.

In February 2020, Makarim met with representatives from Google Indonesia to discuss Google products, including Chromebooks that could be used by the ministry and students.

“In several meetings, it was finally agreed that Google’s products, namely ChromeOS and Chrome Devices Management (CDM), would be used as a procurement project for Information and Communication Technology (ICT) equipment,” prosecutors wrote.

Prosecutors said this was despite a 2019 assessment by the previous education minister concluding that Chromebooks could not be used effectively in various parts of Indonesia, including remote regions.

They alleged that Makarim subsequently issued technical instructions containing specifications that only matched the ChromeOS system, helping ensure Chromebooks would qualify under the procurement process.

Prosecutors said lower-specification Chromebooks should have cost about 3 million rupiah each but were procured for around 6 million rupiah per unit.

They also said Google’s investment in Gojek’s parent company influenced the procurement of the laptops.

“The trial facts also revealed an alleged conflict of interest, where there was an investment and business debt relationship between the technology provider and the company owned by the Defendant, thus creating an unhealthy symbiosis in the procurement of state goods,” said Public Prosecutor Roy Riady.

Google has denied the allegations, saying that the bulk of its investments in Gojek-related entities occurred before Makarim’s appointment as education minister.

“We have not offered, promised or provided benefits to Ministry of Education officials in exchange for their decision to adopt Google products.”

The case is among the highest-profile corruption prosecutions involving a former Indonesian minister. (CNBC)

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A 6.7 magnitude earthquake shook part of Indonesia’s Sulawesi island Tuesday and was followed by strong aftershocks.

The initial tremor caused strong shaking lasting more than a minute around Palu, a city of about 400,000 people and the capital of Central Sulawesi province.

Scattered damage was reported, and several hospitals evacuated patients, some with IV drips, outside as a safety measure. No information on casualties was immediately available.

The initial quake was centered 43 kilometers (27 miles) east-southeast of Palu, and the U.S. Geological Survey said it was about 10 kilometers (6 miles) deep. 

The strongest subsequent quake measured 5.2 magnitude. There was no tsunami risk.

Indonesia is crossed by several seismic faults, and earthquakes and volcanic activity are common. (ABC News)

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Indonesia’s rupiah hit its weakest level ever against the dollar on Thursday (Jun 4), breaching the psychological 18,000 threshold amid concerns about the country’s economy amid surging energy costs.

The unit hit 18,028 against the greenback despite recent central bank efforts to provide support.

The rupiah has tumbled more than 7 per cent this year and is Asia’s worst-performing currency, according to Bloomberg News, as the US-Israel war on Iran sent global oil prices surging. 

Permata Bank chief economist Josua Pardede said an exchange rate of 18,000 was a “psychological threshold” for market investors.

The weakening, he told AFP, was fuelled by high dollar demand caused by the spike in oil prices and a narrowing trade surplus.

Indonesia is a net oil importer and is particularly impacted by the rising crude costs, though the government insists it will leave subsidised fuel prices unchanged. 

The country’s trade surplus has been hammered, narrowing to just US$89 million in April, from US$3.3 billion a month before, further reducing dollar supply in the Indonesian market, Josua said. 

“Dollar supply from goods trade is dwindling, while dollar needs for energy imports, raw materials, dividends, foreign debt payments and seasonality needs remain significant,” he told AFP on Wednesday. 

“This is why the increase in the BI (Bank Indonesia) lending rate and intervention is not enough to reverse the rupiah’s depreciation.”

The central bank hiked rates by 0.5 basis points to 5.25 per cent last month – the first increase in two years – as it looked to stabilise the rupiah and keep inflation in check.

And spokesman Ramdan Denny Prakoso said Wednesday that it continued to use “all available policy instruments” to “maintain adequate foreign exchange liquidity”. 

Bank Indonesia also tightened rules for dollar purchases. Since May, buyers of more than US$25,000 in a given month must provide supporting documents to justify their need for greenbacks.

The level was previously lowered from US$100,000 to US$50,000 in April. (CNA/ AFP)

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Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of Indonesia, Muhammad Anis Matta, paid an official visit to Sri Lanka from April 23–25, at the invitation of Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Employment Arun Hemachandra.

During bilateral discussions held on April 24, Deputy Minister Hemachandra welcomed the Indonesian Vice Minister, highlighting the long‑standing friendship between the two countries and reaffirming Sri Lanka’s commitment to strengthening ties. 

Vice Minister Matta emphasized the importance of enhancing economic engagement, particularly by increasing trade volumes, and both sides agreed to hold bilateral political consultations and exchange high‑level visits with the aim of elevating relations to a strategic partnership.

The talks also covered initiatives to promote people‑to‑people connectivity, maritime collaboration, and cultural exchanges, underscoring the untapped potential in bilateral cooperation.

Vice Minister Matta also paid a courtesy call on Minister of Foreign Affairs Vijitha Herath, where both sides noted that an MoU on Bilateral Political Consultations and a Visa Exemption Agreement for diplomatic and official passports were in their final stages. 

They expressed hope for the early conclusion of these agreements, alongside convening the Bilateral Political Consultations and Joint Commission meeting.

The two sides exchanged views on regional and global developments, reiterating their shared commitment to peace, stability, and sustainable development. In view of the upcoming 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2027, both countries agreed on the importance of high‑level exchanges.

Vice Minister Matta also met with Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs Hiniduma Sunil Senevi. 

The Ambassador of Indonesia to Sri Lanka, senior officials of the Indonesian Foreign Ministry, and senior officials of Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism were associated with the meetings. (Newswire)

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Fourteen people have been confirmed killed and more than 80 injured in a collision involving two trains near the Indonesian capital, Jakarta, with rescue workers continuing efforts to free passengers trapped in the wreckage.

The crash late on Monday night occurred at Bekasi city’s rail station, adjoining Jakarta, between a commuter line train and a long-distance train, the spokesperson for the commuter line operator, Karina Amanda, told the Reuters news agency.

“Based on the latest data as of 08:45 WIB [Western Indonesian Time] (01:45 GMT), 14 people have been confirmed dead,” the state-owned KAI rail company said in a statement on Tuesday. Another 84 people have received hospital treatment, it added.

Emergency workers are actively working at the scene to free people who remain trapped in the wreckage, said Mohammad Syafii, the head of Indonesia’s National Search and Rescue Agency (BASARNAS).

Syafii said efforts to rescue those still trapped in the wreckage were complicated by the limited space in which rescuers were working and the severe damage to the train carriages, according to local news outlet Kompas.com.

Emergency workers need to work “slowly” to cut away wreckage and free those trapped inside the mangled carriages, Syafii said, according to Kompas.com.

Rescuers disengaged the trains and were using angle grinders to cut through the metal framework of compartments to free passengers, according to reports at the scene of the accident.

Anne Purba, the spokeswoman for the state-owned railway operator KAI, had reported an initial toll of five people killed and 79 injured, which jumped to 14 dead on Tuesday morning.

Franoto Wibowo, a spokesman for KAI, said a taxi appears to have clipped the commuter train on a level crossing, causing it to come to a standstill on the tracks, where it was then hit by the long-distance train.

Kompas.com identified the trains involved as the Jakarta to Cikarang commuter train and the Argo Bromo Anggrek long-distance train, which is described as Indonesia’s premier high-speed train service between Jakarta and Surabaya. (Al Jazeera)

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Police Narcotics Division officers at the Katunyake Airport arrested two Indonesian nationals early today (20) while attempting to smuggle a stock of Kush drugs out of the airport.

It is reported that the suspects, a 22‑year‑old man and a 30‑year‑old woman, had purchased the drugs in Bangkok, Thailand, transported them to Bangalore, India, and from there brought them into Sri Lanka. 

They were preparing to take the consignment out of the country when officials intercepted them.

Authorities seized the narcotics, valued at approximately Rs. 67.1 million, concealed in five packets inside two pieces of luggage. The haul weighed 5.401 kilos.

The suspects are scheduled to be produced before the Negombo Magistrate’s Court today, where they will be remanded pending further investigation. (Newswire)

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The Disaster Management Centre (DMC) says there is no effect on Sri Lanka from the magnitude 7.4 earthquake that hit the ⁠Northern Molucca Sea off the coast of the city of ⁠Ternate, Indonesia.

The DMC said there was no risk to Sri Lanka, despite Tsunami warnings being issued to several neighbouring countries. 

The earthquake struck on Thursday, killing at least one person, causing waves of up to 2.5 feet and triggering a tsunami warning that was subsequently lifted.

The US Geological Survey (USGS) said the tremor hit at a shallow depth of 35 kilometres in the Molucca Sea between the Sulawesi and Maluku island groups in the early morning.

One person was killed when a building collapsed in the city of Manado in North Sulawesi province.

The Hawaii-based Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre (PTWC) initially said hazardous tsunami waves were possible within 1,000 kilometres (621 miles) of the epicentre along the coasts of Indonesia, the Philippines and Malaysia.

Within half an hour of the quake, waves up to 75 centimetres were recorded in North Minahasa and 20 centimetres in Bitung, both in the north of Sulawesi island, according to Indonesia’s BMKG geological agency.

Thirty-centimetre waves were also logged in North Maluku province.

The PTWC lifted its warning just over two hours after the tremor, saying the tsunami threat “has now passed.” (Newswire/Al Jazeera)

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Indonesia’s president, under fire at home for signing up to US counterpart Donald Trump’s “Board of Peace”, has insisted his country will not pay the US$1 billion joining fee for permanent membership.

Jakarta had only committed peacekeeping troops for the initiative, Prabowo Subianto said in a statement published on the presidential YouTube channel on Sunday.

The “Board of Peace” came together after the Trump administration, teaming up with Qatar and Egypt, negotiated a ceasefire in October to halt two years of devastating war in Gaza.

Countries that want to be permanent members must pay US$1 billion, sparking criticism that the board could become a “pay-to-play” version of the UN Security Council.

Prabowo, a former general, has come under criticism from Indonesian Muslim groups for joining the board and pledging to send 8,000 peacekeeping troops to Gaza.

Prabowo attended the inaugural meeting of the “Board of Peace” in Washington last month.

But he later said he would withdraw from the board if it does not bring benefits to Palestinians or align with Indonesia’s national interests.

“We never said that we wanted to contribute US$1 billion,” Prabowo said in statements broadcast on his YouTube channel Sunday.

He said he did not make any financial commitments “at all”.

Prabowo signed a tariff deal with the United States last month, but insisted Sunday that Indonesia could withdraw from any agreement if its conditions or execution threatens the national interest.

Talks with Washington about any peacekeeping mission to Gaza have been put “on hold”, according to state news agency Antara, citing Foreign Ministry spokesman Vahd Nabyl Achmad Mulachela. (SCMP)

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The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the renewal of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Sri Lanka and Indonesia to enhance cooperation in search and rescue operations within their shared aviation boundaries.

The MoU, originally signed on January 24, 2018, between the Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka and Indonesia’s National Search and Rescue Agency, was valid for five years.

Although an extension was approved in February 2023, the agreement had not been re-signed until now.

Under the renewed MoU, effective from 2025 for another five years, both countries will continue to coordinate rescue efforts in the southeastern boundary of the Colombo Flight Information Region.

Sri Lanka, as a signatory to the ICAO Chicago Convention, holds responsibility for search and rescue over 625,000 square nautical miles of designated airspace.

The renewal aims to strengthen bilateral coordination in accordance with international aviation safety standards. (Newswire)

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Sri Lanka Police says, Indian authorities assisted the INTERPOL and Indonesian Police to apprehend the five underworld figures who were arrested in Indonesia recently.

Issuing a statement, the Police said that the Indian authorities, INTERPOL, and Indonesian Police had provided diplomatic assistance until the wanted suspects were brought back to Sri Lanka. 

Inspector General of Police (IGP) Priyantah Weerasooriya has extended his gratitude to all those who assisted the operations, including INTERPOL, Indonesian Police, and Indian authorities, to capture the wanted Sri Lankan criminals who were hiding overseas. 

The wanted suspects were arrested during a joint operation conducted by a team of Criminal Investigations Department (CID) officials and the Jakarta Police, and were brought to Sri Lanka on Saturday (30). 

The arrested underworld figures are Kehelbaddara Padme, Commando Salinda, Backhoe Saman, Panadura Nilanga, and Thembili Lahiru. (Newswire)

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Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Arun Hemachandra says the successful capture of several leading underworld criminals in Indonesia is a significant step in the government’s collective fight against organized crime. 

Deputy Minister Hemachandra said that the arrests were made possible through the close cooperation of the Sri Lanka Police, the Indonesian Police, and the steadfast support of the Government of Indonesia.

“A special word of thanks also goes to the Indonesian Government and our international stakeholders, whose cooperation ensured the success of this complex operation,” he said, issuing a statement. 

Deputy Minister Hemachandra further said that this achievement reflects the NPP Government’s firm policy against organized crime, where diplomacy and global partnerships are harnessed to protect the people and uphold the rule of law.

His comments come in connection with the recent arrest of five underworld figures during raids conducted together by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) and the Jakarta Police in Indonesia. 

The arrested underworld figures are Kehelbaddara Padme, Commando Salinda, Backhoe Saman, Panadura Nilanga, and Thembili Lahiru. (Newswire)

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The Government of Sri Lanka has released photos of the underworld figures that were arrested in Indonesia yesterday. 

The wanted suspects were arrested during a joint operation conducted by a team of Criminal Investigations Department (CID) officials and the Jakarta Police. 

According to the government, the arrested underworld figures are Kehelbaddara Padme, Commando Salinda, Backhoe Saman, Panadura Nilanga, and Thembili Lahiru. 

Addressing the media today, Minister of Public Security Ananda Wijepala said that discussions are underway with the Indonesian authorities to repatriate the suspects to Sri Lanka.

He further said that legal action will be initiated against the arrested group upon their repatriation to Sri Lanka. (Newswire)

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Jakarta police, together with a special team from Sri Lanka’s Criminal Investigation Department, have arrested six underworld figures, including several high-profile suspects, officials said.

Among those taken into custody are Backhoe Saman, Thembili Lahiru, Kehelbaddara Padme, Commando Salinda, Panadura Nilanga, and a female associate.

Police stated that the joint operation took place in Jakarta, Indonesia.

Sri Lankan police said that further investigations are underway into their activities and international links. (Newswire)

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President Donald Trump said Tuesday the United States has reached a trade agreement with Indonesia after speaking with the country’s President Prabowo Subianto.

Hours after announcing the agreement on Truth Social, Trump told reporters that it calls for Indonesia not to charge any tariffs on American exports, while the US will impose a 19% tariff on Indonesian exports.

In a subsequent post on Truth Social, he said the agreement was “finalized.” 

However, the Indonesian government had yet to make any similar announcements on its end, as of Tuesday afternoon.

Trump also said Indonesia committed to buying “$15 Billion Dollars in U.S. Energy, $4.5 Billion Dollars in American Agricultural Products, and 50 Boeing Jets, many of them 777’s.”

Before departing the White House to speak at a summit in Pittsburgh, the president said Indonesia is “known for high-quality copper, which we’ll be using.” That may mean that copper from the country could face lower tariffs, or no tariffs, if Trump proceeds with his threat to levy a 50% tax across all copper imports on August 1.

While Indonesia shipped $20 million worth of copper to the US last year, according to US Commerce Department data, that’s far behind top suppliers Chile and Canada, which sent $6 billion and $4 billion worth of the metal to the US last year.

“No tariffs there; they pay tariffs here. Switching the asymmetry our way,” US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said in a CNBC interview on Tuesday.

Trump said India is “working along the same line” with regard to securing a trade agreement.

In April, Trump briefly imposed a 32% tariff on goods from the country before pausing so-called “reciprocal” tariffs. Countries that were due to face those tariffs have been charged a minimum 10% tariff for the past three months. That’s due to end on August 1.

“Great deal, for everybody, just made with Indonesia. I dealt directly with with their highly respected President,” Trump wrote on his social media platform Tuesday morning. “DETAILS TO FOLLOW!!!”

This marks Trump’s fourth trade agreement announcement in three months. He had previously promised dozens of deals with US trading partners over that time frame, but that has proven tough to reach.

One of the four agreements he previously announced was with Vietnam earlier this month, similarly posting on Truth Social. But the administration has yet to announce any more information on that agreement.

Trump’s volatile trade policy has paralyzed many businesses. Some fear that new orders they place for products manufactured overseas could be tariffed at dramatically higher rates given Trump can — at the flick of a switch — change rates charged on a country’s exports.

Trump has said companies can avoid such headaches by moving production to the United States. But it’s not so simple in practice: Businesses may not only encounter difficulty finding the right workers, but it could take years — and many millions of dollars — before manufacturing facilities are up and running. Then, once production is moved to the US, costs could increase, leading to higher prices for American consumers.

Representatives from the Indonesian government did not immediately respond to CNN’s request for comment.

Indonesia is America’s 23rd top trading partner, US Commerce Department data from last year shows. The United States imported $28 billion worth of merchandise from there last year. Apparel and footwear were the top two goods Americans bought.

Meanwhile, the US exported $10 billion worth of goods there last year. Oilseeds and grain as well as oil and gas were the top two exports. (CNN)

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At least four people are dead and dozens of others are missing after a ferry carrying 65 people sank off Indonesia’s resort island of Bali, authorities have said.

Rescuers are searching for 38 people after the KMP Tunu Pratama Jaya sank shortly after leaving East Java’s Banyuwangi port, Indonesia’s search and rescue agency, Badan Nasional Pencarian dan Pertolongan, said on Thursday.

Twenty-three survivors have been rescued as part of the rescue operations, which include nine vessels, according to officials.

Banyuwangi police chief, Rama Samtama Putra, said many of the survivors were initially unconscious after spending hours drifting in the ocean.

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, who is visiting Saudi Arabia, ordered an immediate emergency response, Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya said in a statement, adding that the cause of the accident was “bad weather”.

Maritime disasters are a common occurrence in Indonesia, an archipelago of about 17,000 islands, where lax safety standards often allow vessels to be overloaded without adequate life-saving equipment. (Al Jazeera)

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India and Indonesia have taken a significant step forward in their strategic partnership, strengthening defence and maritime cooperation through key agreements and initiatives.

The two nations reaffirmed their commitment to deepening ties with the ratification of the Defence Cooperation Agreement (DCA) and agreed to enhance collaboration through cadet exchanges between their Naval Academies.

Additionally, both countries emphasised the importance of the Joint Defence Cooperation Committee (JDCC) in driving defence modernization and shared expertise.

Notably, at the invitation of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President of Indonesia, Prabowo Subianto paid a State Visit to India from January 23-26.

He also attended the celebrations of the 76th Republic Day of India as the Chief Guest. He was accompanied by a high-level delegation including several Ministers as well as Senior Officials of the Indonesian government and a business delegation, the Ministry of External Affairs said in a press release.

The press release further said that the two countries had adopted the “Shared Vision of India-Indonesia on Maritime Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific” in 2018.

The two leaders reaffirmed that India and Indonesia as maritime neighbours and strategic partners must continue to work to further deepen and broaden the defence cooperation to a robust one.

Both leaders also welcomed the ratification of the Agreement concerning Cooperation in the field of Defence (DCA) and expressed confidence that this would lead to further deepening of defence ties.

They underscored the importance of regular engagements between Defence Ministers to effectively implement the DCA. In this regard, they agreed to hold the next Defence Ministers’ Dialogue at an early date.

 The two leaders expressed satisfaction at the strategic and operational interaction between the defence forces of both countries, comprising more than two decades long continuous biannual India-Indonesia Coordinated Patrol, conduct of periodic bilateral Army (Ex Garuda Shakti) and Naval (Ex Samudra Shakti) exercises, and regular participation in each other’s multilateral exercises- Milan, Komodo, Tarang Shakti and Super Garuda Shield.

Both leaders welcomed the interest to have cadet exchanges between the Naval Academies and the National Defence University/ Academy.

Recognizing the importance of building domestic defence manufacturing capabilities, President Prabowo appreciated India’s advancements and expressed interest in strengthening cooperation in this sector.

India agreed to support the ongoing defence modernization programmes of Indonesia through experience and expertise sharing. Both countries affirmed their commitment to deepen collaboration in the defence industry by utilizing the Joint Defence Cooperation Committee (JDCC), the release said.

President Prabowo welcomed India’s interest in enhancing cooperation on maritime security, including its engagement with regional mechanisms to ensure the safety and security of sea lanes of communication.

Both leaders also acknowledged the significance of collaborative efforts to achieve safe and secure sea lanes in the region. In this regard, they agreed that there needs to be constant communication to discuss enhancement of maritime safety.

Both leaders welcomed the ongoing discussions on the White Shipping Information Exchange (WSIE) agreement. They agreed to position an International Liaison Officer (ILO) from Indonesia at Information Fusion Centre-Indian Ocean region (IFC-IOR) Gurugram. They agreed to continue discussions to identify mutually beneficial areas of cooperation in maritime security.

The two leaders shared mutual appreciation for having co-chaired HADR related activities at ADMM+ and maritime security events at ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) in the previous cycle. Both leaders agreed to continue their combined efforts for the safety of Navigation in the Straits of Malacca and Singapore (SOMS) through existing mechanisms to enable unhindered economic growth of the region.

The leaders also agreed to commence cooperation in Hydrography and Submarine Search and Rescue while looking forward to the next edition of Exercise Samudra Shakti, the release said.

Both leaders welcomed the renewal of the MoU on Maritime Safety and Security Cooperation which signifies commitment to continue cooperating in preventing and responding to acts of crime at sea, coordinating search and rescue operation upon request, and capacity building activities.

The MEA release further said that both leaders strongly condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing cooperation in combating this threat through bilateral and multilateral initiatives.

They underscored the importance of strengthening global efforts to combat terrorism, including eliminating terror financing and preventing the recruitment of terrorists, without any double standards. Both leaders emphasized the need for all countries to work collectively to deny safe havens and support networks to terrorist groups, in accordance with international obligations and commitments.

Both leaders called upon all countries to take concerted action against UN-proscribed terrorist organizations and their affiliates. Recognizing the evolving nature of security challenges, the two leaders agreed to work together in preventing the spread of online radicalization and strengthening mechanisms to counter extremist ideologies.

Both leaders welcomed the 6th Joint Working Group Meeting on Counter-Terrorism, held in Jakarta on 23 August 2024, as a crucial platform for strengthening bilateral cooperation. They also look forward to the renewal of the MoU on Counter-Terrorism Cooperation. President Prabowo thanked PM Modi for offering specialized courses by the National Security Guard (NSG) of India, underscoring the value of capacity-building and knowledge-sharing in counter-terrorism efforts.

Notably, President Prabowo was accorded a ceremonial reception at the Rashtrapati Bhavan and he paid tributes to Mahatma Gandhi at Raj Ghat. This was followed by bilateral talks between Prime Minister Modi and President Prabowo. Thereafter, the two leaders witnessed the exchange of bilateral documents. President Prabowo attended the luncheon hosted by Prime Minister Modi in his honour.

President Prabowo met President Droupadi Murmu. President Murmu also hosted a banquet dinner in his honour. Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar also called on President Prabowo. (Economy Times)

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The owner of a Spa, who had recruited three young women from Indonesia to work as therapists but had forced them into the sex trade, has been sentenced to 15 years of rigorous imprisonment. 

Issuing the judgement today, the Colombo High Court said the sentence should be served in 05 years and further ordered the suspect to pay the three victims Rs. 250,000 each as compensation.

The court also warned that a one-year simple sentence would be issued if the suspect failed to settle the compensation. 

The suspect was arrested following a raid conducted by the Walana Anti-Crimes Unit in 2011, after which the Attorney General had filed a case under three charges. (Newswire)

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A group of foreigners have been arrested in Nuwara Eliya on charges of violating visa conditions.

The Police said eight (08) Indonesians were arrested following a raid conducted by the Nuwara Eliya Police.

Based on a tip-off, the Nuwara Eliya Police had conducted a raid in the Hawa Eliya area, leading to the arrest of the group.

The suspects are aged between 28 and 65 years. The Nuwara Eliya Police is conducting further investigations. (Newswire)

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