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India-Indonesia Economic and Commercial Relations
Indonesia is a key economic partner for India in Southeast Asia. With bilateral trade of almost US$ 20 billion in 2019-20, Indonesia is the second largest trading destination for India in the ASEAN region. The trade between the two countries has witnessed more than five-fold increase since 2005-06 (US$ 4.3 billion).
2015-16 to 2019-20 (US$ million)
Period |
India’s Exports |
India’s Imports |
Total Trade |
Change (%) |
2015-16 |
2819.49 |
13131.93 |
15951.42 |
- |
2016-17 |
3488.12 |
13427.99 |
16,916.11 |
(+) 6.05 |
2017-18 |
3963.77 |
16438.80 |
20,402.57 |
(+) 20.61 |
2018-19 |
5275.60 |
15,849.67 |
21,125.27 |
(+) 3.54 |
2019-20 |
4123.89 |
15061.87 |
19,185.76 |
(-) 9.18 |
Source: Dept of Commerce, India
2. India’s commodity export to Indonesia got a fillip from 2016-17 onwards mainly due to the export of bovine meat which was facilitated by Presidential Decree issued in March 2016. In an audit by a team from Ministry of Agriculture, Indonesia in India in March 2018, 19 new bovine meat plants and 3 dairy plants were approved for exporting to Indonesia. So this figure is expected to increase in the coming financial year. India is one of the largest buyer of coal and crude palm oil from Indonesia and imports minerals, rubber, pulp & paper and hydrocarbons reserves. India exports refined petroleum products, commercial vehicles, telecommunication equipment, bovine meat, animal feed, agriculture products, steel and plastics to Indonesia. There is considerable potential for expanding trade between the two countries in the areas of agro products, pharmaceuticals, automotive components, automobiles, engineering products, IT, bio-technology and healthcare services.
High-level visits that boosted economic engagement
3. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi visited Jakarta on 29-30 May 2018 at the invitation of the President of Indonesia Mr. Joko Widodo. During the visit, 15 agreements/MoUs were signed between the two countries including 9 G2G MoUs which inter alia included cooperation in Railways sector, Health Cooperation, on Pharmaceutical, Biological and Cosmetics Regulatory Functions. B2B MoUs included MoU between CII and Indonesia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KADIN) and MOU between Himalaya Drug Company and PT Kalbe Farma. Both Leaders acknowledged the ‘Recommendations and Outcome Document’ submitted by the members of India Indonesia CEOs’ Forum. The Leaders further instructed the regular convening of the forum and expansion of business sectors as it could function as constructive measure to tap more opportunities and potentials in developing bilateral cooperation in trade and investment.
President of Indonesia H.E. Joko Widodo and other ASEAN Heads of States/Governments were Guests of Honour on the Republic Day Parade on 26th January, 2018. India and ASEAN celebrated 25 years of their Dialogue Partnership, 15 years of Summit Level interaction and 5 years of Strategic Partnership leading to ASEAN-India Commemorative Summit in India which was held on 25th January, 2018 at New Delhi on the theme "Shared Values, Common Destiny”. 34-member Indonesian business delegation led by Minister of Trade of Indonesia H.E. Enggartiasto Lukita also participated in India-Indonesia business Forum Meeting, India-ASEAN Weaving Textile Relationship event and ASEAN-India Business Council (AIBC) Forum during the visit.
5. During the State Visit of President of Indonesia H.E. Mr. Joko Widodo to India on 11-13 December 2016, a 6-member Ministerial delegation and a 25-member high-powered business delegation accompanied the President. Enhancing the economic engagement with special focus on pharmaceuticals and IT was the main business agenda of the visit. The Ministers of Trade and Industry of Indonesia met with Minister of Commerce & Industry, Government of India to review trade and economic relations. On the sidelines of the visit, the 1st meeting of the India-Indonesia CEOs' Forum (re-constituted) was held in New Delhi on 12 December 2016. The forum discussed and arrived at constructive suggestions to further enhance bilateral trade and investment cooperation. It was agreed to set up sectoral core groups to suggest specific recommendations to institute strategies for expanding the cooperation in identified sectors and to take up any impediments to trade and investment with both governments. Additionally, a select group of twenty Indian CEOs met President Joko Widodo on 13 December 2016 during which the President invited the Indian companies to invest in Indonesia and assured them that the Indonesian government will address issues if any on priority basis.
6. On the sidelines of the visit of Vice President Shri M. Hamid Ansari to Indonesia in November 2015, the Mission in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Indonesia and the Investment Coordinating Board of Indonesia, organized a high-profile Business Forum in Jakarta. A 33-member high-powered Indian delegation comprising of CEOs and senior representatives of prominent Indian companies participated in the event. The Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Indonesia (KADIN), the Indonesian Employers Association (APINDO) and the Indonesian Young Entrepreneurs Association (HIPMI) brought together about 50 Indonesian companies. Both sides discussed ways of enhancing trade and investment. The Vice Presidents jointly released the book on "Make in India" in Bahasa brought out by the Mission.
7. Prime Minister Shri Manmohan Singh, during his visit to Jakarta in October 2013, held extensive discussion with President SBY on economic issues. An MoU on health cooperation was signed during the visit. It was agreed to establish a High-Level Task Force to effectively monitor implementation of earlier signed MoUs; facilitate investment in each other’s national infrastructure development plans, including through PPP mode; and identify specific projects for joint investment in India, Indonesia and third countries.
8. During the visit of President H.E. Mr. Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY) to India in January 2011, both sides agreed to establish Biennial Trade Ministers’ Forum, Energy Forum and CEOs Forum and to cooperate in the fields of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises; Oil & Gas; and Marine & Fisheries. It was also agreed to encourage Ministerial level contacts in the fields of Oil & Gas, Coal, Power and Renewable Energy. Further, eighteen B2B MoUs were signed to build and/or operate airports, ports, railways, toll roads, river navigation projects and power plants in Indonesia. However, 14 of these projects have been dropped due to procedural difficulties on part of the Provincial Governments of Indonesia. Remaining four projects are progressing at slower pace.
Other important visits in 2017-18
9. Vice President Shri M. Hamid Ansari represented India at the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) Leaders’ Summit held in Jakarta on 7 March 2017. On the sidelines of the Summit, he held bilateral meetings with H.E. Mr. Joko Widodo, President of Indonesia; and H.E. Mr. Jusuf Kalla, Vice President of Indonesia.
10. MoS (I/C) for Power, Coal, New & Renewable Energy and Mines, Shri Piyush Goyal visited Jakarta on 20-22 April 2017 for the 1st India-Indonesia Ministerial-level Energy Forum. During the visit, he met with the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources H.E. Mr. Ignasius Jonan; Minister of Transportation H.E. Mr. Budi Karya Sumadi; Chairman of Indonesia Investment Coordinating Board H.E. Mr. Thomas Lembong; and Deputy Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources H.E. Mr. Arcandra Tahar. As agreed by Minister Piyush Goyal and Minister Ignasius Jonan, a 21-member Indonesian delegation visited India on 02-07 May 2017 to follow up on the action points agreed upon during the Energy Forum.
11. MoS for External Affairs Shri. M.J. Akbar led a high-level delegation to the ‘2nd IORA Ministerial Blue Economy Conference: Financing Blue Economy’ held in Jakarta from 8-10 May 2017. On the sidelines of the visit, MOS (MJA) held meetings with the Foreign Minister of Indonesia H.E. Ms. Retno L.P. Marsudi and the Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs of Indonesia H.E. Mr. Luhut Pandjaitan. He also met with the Chairman of Nahdlatul Ulama, Dr. Aqil Sirodj. Smt. Mercykutty Amma, Minister for Fisheries, Harbour Engineering and Cashew Industry of Kerala attended the Working Session on 8 May 2017.
12. MoS for Food Processing Industries Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti, accompanied by a high-level delegation, visited Jakarta on 21-23 August 2017. She met with the Trade Minister of Indonesia H.E. Mr. Enggartiasto Lukita and discussed ways of enhancing the trade especially in food processing sector and related issues. The Embassy organized a ‘Roadshow on World Food India 2017’ on 22 August which was attended by 150 participants from the food and beverage sector.
13. The Trade Minister of Indonesia H.E. Mr. Enggartiasto Lukita led a 12-member delegation to New Delhi to co-chair the 2nd India-Indonesia Biennial Trade Ministers’ Forum on 25 September 2017. Indian side was co-chaired by CIM Shri Suresh P. Prabhu. The Ministers discussed ways of expanding bilateral trade and economic cooperation; issues of mutual concern inter alia cooperation in pharma and health; transparent and fair regulatory framework in place to facilitate market access for diversifying trade and promoting investments; and import of palm oil and bovine meat. A meeting of Senior Officials preceded the Ministerial segment. Both sides have agreed to convene the meeting of Working Groups on Trade & investment, and Trade Facilitation & Resolution in early 2018.
14. External Affairs Minister Mrs. Sushma Swaraj co-chaired 5th Meeting of Joint Commission along with Foreign Minister of Indonesia Ms. Retno L.P. Marsudi on 5th January 2018 in Jakarta where both leaders emphasized the importance to increase the sense of urgency in the partnership of both countries in order to generate greater concrete cooperation. Major areas of Economic Cooperation that were discussed in the meeting included increasing cooperation in pharmaceutical sector, especially import of generic drugs by Indonesia, cooperation and conclusion ongoing negotiation of RCEP, facilitating the issuance of visas and work permits to skilled labour, Indonesian concern on increase of import duty on palm oil adversely hitting its exporters, expanding cooperation in building critical infrastructure (airport, seaport railway, telecom), enhancing trade in agriculture and food processing, redressal of issues faced by Indian coal companies, finalize MoU on Cooperation in Rail sector and funding a project by GoI in Indonesia under the LOC of US$ 1billion to ASEAN.
15. Minister of Trade of Indonesia Mr. Enggartisto Lukita participated at the Informal WTO Ministerial Gathering in New Delhi on 20 March 2018 and in the 4th India ASEAN Expo and Summit on 21-23 February, 2019.
16. Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs Mr. Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan visited India on 17-18 May 2018 and had meetings with External Affairs Minister, Commerce and Industry Minister, Minister of State of Civil Aviation and also interacted with members of CII.
Institutional Mechanisms/Sectoral Cooperation
17. In order to deepen the bilateral commercial relationship and to protect and promote investments on both sides, India and Indonesia have institutionalized the following mechanisms:
(i) Biennial Trade Ministers’ Forum (BTMF): The 1st meeting of the BTMF took place in Jakarta in October 2011. The 2nd meeting of the BTMF was held in New Delhi on 25 September 2017. Trade Minister H.E. Mr. Enggartiasto Lukita led a 12-member delegation to the meeting. 3rd BTMF was held on 29th June 2020 through Video Conference, led by H.E. Mr Agus Suparmanto, Trade Minister of Indonesia and Hon’ble Shri Piyush Goyal, Minister of Commerce & Industry and Railways, Government of India. Both Ministers reiterated their resolve to realize the target of US $ 50 billion in bilateral trade by 2025. As an early harvest to a Free Trade Agreement (FTA), it was decided in the Forum to work towards bilateral PTA with a view to realize the true potential in trade and achieve the set target.
(ii) Joint Commission Meeting (JCM): Both countries initiated an all-encompassing dialogue structure in the form of JCM in January 2001 at the level of Foreign Ministers. The 4th JCM was held at New Delhi in July 2012. The 5th meeting of the JCM took place in Jakarta on 5th January 2018.
(iii) Energy Forum: The Energy Forum, to be co-chaired by the Minister of Coal from India and Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources from Indonesia, was launched in January 2011 to help promote mutually beneficial G2G and B2B cooperation. The 1st Energy Forum was held in Jakarta on 20 April 2017. MOS (I/C) for Coal, Power, New & Renewable Energy and Mines Shri Piyush Goyal and his Indonesian counterpart H.E. Mr. Ignasius Jonan, Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources jointly led the Energy Forum. As a follow up, a 22-member multi-sectoral delegation from the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources of Indonesia visited India from 02-07 May 2017 to explore opportunities for cooperation in coal, oil & gas, renewable energy and energy conservation. Both sides are discussing on follow up action to be taken. During to the ongoing pandemic, Covid19, 2nd Energy Forum is likely to hosted by India virtually and dates are being decided through diplomatic channels.
(iv) CEOs Forum : The 1st meeting of the CEOs Forum was held in Jakarta in October 2013. Both sides reconstituted their list of CEOs and the 1st meeting of the reconstituted CEOs Forum was held on 12 December 2016 on the sidelines of the VVIP visit in New Delhi. The Indonesian side hosted the 2nd CEOs Forum which took place during the visit of Prime Minister’s visit to Indonesia, on 29th May 2018 and the group submitted the ‘Recommendations and Outcome Document’ to both the Leaders.
(v) High-Level Task Force: It was announced during Prime Minister of India’s visit to Indonesia in October 2013. Ambassador is the co-chair of the Indian side. The Government of Indonesia is yet to nominate its co-Chair.
(vi) CECA: India and Indonesia have been working towards a Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA). Two rounds of pre-negotiations were held in August and October 2011 in Indonesia. In these consultations, the two sides acknowledged the Report of the Joint Study Group on Feasibility of CECA as an important reference for future negotiations. However, the Indonesian Government had been hesitant to begin CECA negotiations with India in view of adverse public opinion about FTAs in general as a means of using Indonesia as an export market. Following PM’s visit in October 2013, Indonesia had agreed to begin CECA negotiations, which was kept later in abeyance due to start of negotiations on RCEP. With India not being part of RCEP under consideration, a bilateral PTA is being thought of between the two countries as an early harvest to FTA.
(vii) BIPA and DTAA: India and Indonesia signed an Agreement for the Promotion and Protection of Investment (BIPA) in 1999, and Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA) in 2012, in order to protect investments. While DTAA is active, BIPA has not been renewed after its expiry in 2014.
(viii) JWG on Oil & Gas : The 1st meeting of the JWG on Oil and Gas was held in June 2012 at Bali. The 2nd JWG was held on the sidelines of Energy Forum on 20 April 2017 in Jakarta. The MOU on cooperation in Oil and Gas, which expired in January 2016, was signed during the JWG meeting on 20 April 2017. Dates for holding the 3rd JWG are being finalized through diplomatic channels.
(ix) JWG on New and Renewable Energy : An MOU on new and renewable energy cooperation was signed in November 2015. The 1st JWG under this MOU was held through digital video conference on 20 April, 2017 on the sidelines of Energy Forum. Dates for holding the 2nd JWG are being finalized through diplomatic channels.
(x) Coal: The JWG on Coal was established in 2010. India hosted the 3rd meeting of JWG in November 2015 in New Delhi. The 4th JWG meeting took place in Jakarta on 20 April 2017 along with Energy Forum. 5th JWG on Coal was held virtually on 5th November, 2020 when discussions on aspects of cooperation of coal sector took place apart from a B2B Session, where Indian companies with significant investments in coal sector in Indonesia participated.
(xi) Health and Pharmaceuticals: India and Indonesia signed an MoU on Health Cooperation for exchange of information in the field of medicine, exchange of experts, training and joint research in October 2013. This MoU, which expired in October 2016, was renewed during the Indian PM’s visit to Jakarta in May 2018. The 1st meeting of the JWG on Health was held in New Delhi in February 2019 during which a Plan of Action (PoA) for the Implementation of MoU, which aims to provide greater details and concrete cooperation activities, was discussed. As a backgrounder, President Joko Widodo, during his earlier two meetings with PM Modi, has requested for India’s support in augmenting the health insurance system of Indonesia by supply of bulk drugs. PMO had directed the Minister of Chemicals & Fertilizers to lead a high-level pharma delegation to Jakarta to take forward the discussions. Accordingly, on 24 January, 2019, in partnership with Pharmexcil, the 1st India Indonesia Pharmaceutical and Health Industry Forum (IIPHIF) was organized in Jakarta, which was attended by 19 Indian Pharmaceutical Companies representing various streams of drug and pharmaceuticals including Homeopathy, Ayurveda and herbal medicines. A B2B segment was also arranged, attended by 52 Indonesian Pharmaceutical companies, during which interactive sessions took place with focus on Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients, formulations, herbal, cosmeceutical and nutraceuticals products as also investment opportunities in setting up of manufacturing units in APIs. The delegation also had an interactive session with National Agency for Drug and Food Control of Indonesia (BPOM) on all aspects of regulatory mechanism in Indonesian pharma sector.
(xii) MSME: An MoU on SME cooperation was signed in January 2011. The 1st meeting of the Joint Coordination Committee was held in Jakarta in September 2011. During the 2nd FOC in December 2014 in New Delhi the two sides agreed to explore the possibility of holding the 2nd meeting in India. Mutual dates are to be considered.
(xiii) JWG on Agriculture : Both sides signed an MoU for Cooperation in Agriculture in 2008 and the 4th JWG on Agriculture was held in Jakarta on 17-18 April 2017. Three member team headed by Secretary (AC & FW), Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare visited Jakarta from 21-22 November, 2018 to discuss trading arrangement with Indonesia, principally on export of sugar for import of palm oil. The delegation had talks with Director General of Foreign Trade, Indonesian Ministry of Trade and also had meeting with Secretary General of Ministry of Agriculture, State owned Enterprise Bulog and Association of Sugar Traders (Agri). The MOU, which expired in December 2018, is due for extension, on which the next JWG meeting would take place.
(xiv) Marine and Fisheries: The MoU on Marine and Fisheries cooperation was signed in November 2005 and the 1st meeting of the Joint Technical Committee was held in Jakarta in December 2012. Both sides are negotiating signing/renewal of the MOU as the existing MOU had expired in November 2015. Renewal of this MoU is under consideration by both sides.
(xv) Railways : An MOU on Technical Cooperation in Railways Sector was signed in May 2018 between India and Indonesia and is currently under implementation.
18. India Indonesia Infrastructure Forum : The 2nd India Indonesia Infrastructure Forum (IIIF) was organised by the Embassy of India, jointly with the Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs, on 19 March 2019 in Jakarta. Inaugurated by H.E. Mr. Luhut Binsar Pandjaian, Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs, it saw the participation of H.E. Mr Nova Iriansyah, Governor of Aceh Province and. H.E. Mr A Gitesh Sarma, Vice Minister of External Affairs. A high-level delegation of nearly 30 plus Indian CEO’s from infrastructure sector focusing on Port, Power, Airport, Water Resource Management, Hospital Management Systems and Health Service, Industry 4.0 and IT solutions for Infrastructure Projects, with leading Indian companies like GMR, GVK, BHEL, Adani, Tata Power, TCS, Tech Mahindra, Adani, WAPCOS, EXIM Bank, Jet Airways amongst several others being present. The event saw participation of 75 Indonesian companies in Infrastructure Sector and included B2B meetings between representatives of Indian and Indonesian companies. Significant business leads emerged during the B2B sessions which would be followed by both sides subsequently. 3rd India Indonesia Infrastructure Forum (IIIF), which was to be held in March 2020, could not be held due to onset of COVID19 pandemic.
Trade Promotion Activities
19. During the visit of Prime Minister of India in May 2018, Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KADIN) signed an MoU to promote economic, trade and technological cooperation, exchange of information / visits on economic and commercial cooperation, support activities for trade promotion, suggest and recommend possible partners etc. It was also announced that CII would open its overseas office in Jakarta, Indonesia with its representative from India, which was done in September 2019.
20. Indcham, an independent body established by the Indian Business Community has about 60 members and an executive committee. It had become dormant since 2012 but has been revived in 2018. It conducts regular interaction sessions and liaise between Indian companies and Indonesian authorities towards an enhanced economic engagement with Indonesia.
21. The IBF, a networking group of Indian entrepreneurs, CEOs and professionals was established by the Embassy in July 2012 and has been a very active forum. The group is Embassy-driven. IBF has 350+ members. Since its inception, the IBF has organised several events in Jakarta and in other provinces as part of our outreach programme. It has emerged as a platform to discuss and suggest ways and means to achieve closer economic cooperation. Recently, the IBF Committe has also been reconstituted.
22. A number of commercial events/visits have been organized/coordinated by the Mission in order to encourage India’s exports to Indonesia. Important events/visits were : -
23. The decentralization process, started in 1999, aiming at bringing more political and economic stability has made the regions of Indonesia more powerful. It was, therefore, considered useful to initiate dialogue with the regions of Indonesia in order to enhance our outreach activities and gain from the economic developments of the regions. Towards regional trade promotion, the Mission has organized several visits/programmes in Bali, Medan, Manado, North Sulawesi, Surabaya, Central Java, East Kalimantan, Yogyakarta and Aceh. The aim of these visits was to facilitate direct B2B engagement.
Investments
24. The overall investment scenario in Indonesia is encouraging. It is an attractive destination for Indian investment in the region. There are about 30 Indian investments / Joint Ventures in Indonesia. As per the statistics of Government of Indonesia, Indian investment in Indonesia in 2019 was US$ 58.3 million in 526 projects and for the period from 2000-2020, it is US $ 1111.08 in 3574 projects. At the same time, it is the Embassy’s assessment that Indian investment in Indonesia is of US$ 15 billion as most investments come through Singapore and other gateways.
25. Indian companies have made significant investments in infrastructure, power, textiles, steel, automotive, mining, banking and consumer goods sectors. Prominent Indian groups/companies such as Tata Power, Reliance, Adani, L&T, GMR, GVK, Trimex, Videocon, Punj Lloyd, CG Power, Madhucon, Spice, Indo Rama, Aditya Birla, JK Industries, Jindal Stainless Steel, ESSAR, Ispat, Tata Motors, Mahindra, TVS, Bajaj, Royal Enfield, Minda, Godrej, Wipro, Balmer & Lawrie, SBI and Bank of India have established fully-owned subsidiaries/joint ventures in Indonesia. Several medium and small Indian companies are operating coal mines in Indonesia. IT companies - TCS, Tech Mahindra, HCL and Altruist - have set up business units in Indonesia. BPRL acquired 12.5% Participating Interest in Nunukan Block Production Sharing Contract in September 2009, which is valid till 2034. After getting Final Investment Decision and Plan of Development, first gas is expected from Badik and West Badik by 2024 and first oil from Parang, a nearby exploratory well to Nunukan BLock by 2027. Thermax International inaugurated (27 July 2017) its new manufacturing unit in Jakarta; Asian Paints inaugurated its factory (05 September 2017) in Jakarta; Lulu Group opened (06 September 2017) a new hypermarket in Jakarta and Crompton Greaves Ltd inaugurated Indonesia's first High Voltage Switchgear (TT) and Extra Voltage (TET) plant on 20 August 2018. In pharma sector, in February 2019, Macleods has set up a HIV drugs manufacturing facility in Semarang in JV with an Indonesian Company, Pt Sampharindo, with a total investment of US $ 3.4 million. In healthcare, Nephorplus, an Indian company, has tied up with Hermina Group of Hospitalis, for setting up dialysis centre in 80 hospitals.
26. In comparison,Indonesia investment in India is US $ 638.57 million from 2000-2020 (Source: DIPP). Of the 13 Indonesian companies in India, 7 are from agro/food processing sector. PT. Sumber Mitra Jaya has undertaken four projects for the National Highways Authority of India. Bukaka company is supplying aerobridges to the Airports Authority of India. Salim group from Indonesia invested in petroleum refinery, real estate and industrial township project in West Bengal, but later withdrew due to land acquisition issues. Garuda Foods has set up a joint venture with Polyflex Foods in Bangalore. Bank International Indonesia (BII) has opened a Branch in Mumbai with a capital base of US$ 28 million. CP Prima has invested US$ 2 million in Shrimp hatchery production in Andhra Pradesh and has plans to invest in Feedmill plants as well. Asian Paper & Pulp (APP), a subsidiary of Sinarmas, one of the largest industrial houses in Indonesia and APEDB signed an MoU on 9-1-2019 where APP will invest Rs 24,000 crore (US $3.5 billion) with a production of 5 million metric tonnes per annum by its pulp and paper manufacturing unit at Prakasam district of Andhra Pradesh. There are 13 Indonesian Companies present in India in agro products, processed food, transportation, logistics sectors etc.,