IIM Bangalore to Open First Overseas Campus in Indonesia: PM Modi Hails Move as a Boost for ASEAN Youth
In a landmark development for Indian higher education and India-Indonesia ties, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that the Indian Institute of Management Bangalore (IIM Bangalore) will establish its first international campus in Indonesia. The announcement was made during a joint press statement with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto in Jakarta on July 7, 2026.
The proposed campus will be located at the Singhasari Special Economic Zone in Malang and is designed to serve students and professionals not just from Indonesia but across the broader ASEAN region. “We are going to establish a campus of India’s prestigious management institute, IIM Bangalore, in Indonesia, which will greatly benefit the youth across the entire ASEAN region,” PM Modi stated.
Strategic Partnership and Implementation
The initiative will be implemented through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between IIM Bangalore and PT Intelegensia Grahatama, the managing entity of the Singhasari SEZ. This partnership aligns with growing bilateral cooperation between India and Indonesia in areas such as AI, telecommunications, Digital Public Infrastructure, and startups.
IIM Bangalore plans to roll out programmes in two phases. The first phase will focus on executive education programmes targeted at senior executives, business leaders, and public sector professionals. The second phase, expected after two years of successful implementation, will introduce full degree-granting management programmes.
The curriculum is set to cover critical contemporary areas including global supply chains, digital transformation, artificial intelligence, climate and sustainability, and healthcare management. Students in Indonesia will also have opportunities for short academic immersion visits to IIM Bangalore’s main campus in Bengaluru, gaining exposure to India’s vibrant innovation ecosystem, industry practices, and business environment.
Strong Endorsement from IIM Bangalore Leadership
U Dinesh Kumar, Director-in-Charge of IIM Bangalore, highlighted the strategic importance of the move. He noted that the partnership would help develop a strong leadership pool for companies operating in Indonesia and global corporations with interests in the region.
Jitamitra Desai, Professor and Member of IIM Bangalore’s Board of Governors, expressed confidence in the initiative: “With our significant strength in management education and research, IIMB is well positioned to deliver high-quality, high-reputation management programs and make Indonesia a global hub in business education. We believe that this program will lead to significantly improved employment opportunities for Indonesian citizens and expatriates alike and push the envelope in making the Global South region the preferred destination for both quality education and business leadership.”
Broader Context of Indian Higher Education Going Global
The Indonesia campus represents IIM Bangalore’s first overseas venture and fits into a larger pattern of Indian premier institutions expanding internationally. Other notable examples include IIM Ahmedabad in Dubai, IIT Delhi in Abu Dhabi, and IIT Madras in Zanzibar.
This push aligns with the National Education Policy 2020, which encourages Indian higher education institutions to increase their global footprint. By establishing quality campuses abroad, India aims to enhance its soft power, create opportunities for Indian faculty and students, and attract international talent while generating revenue and knowledge exchange.
Significance for India-Indonesia Relations
The timing of the announcement during PM Modi’s visit underscores the deepening strategic partnership between the two nations. Indonesia, as a major ASEAN economy with a large youthful population, presents a natural market for high-quality management education. The campus is expected to strengthen people-to-people ties and support economic collaboration in emerging sectors.
For Indonesian youth, access to IIM Bangalore’s world-class curriculum and faculty without having to travel to India will be transformative. It also positions Indonesia as an emerging hub for quality business education in the Global South.
What Lies Ahead
The success of the first phase of executive education programmes will be crucial in determining the pace and scope of full degree programmes. Challenges such as regulatory approvals, faculty deployment, curriculum adaptation to local contexts, and building a strong student pipeline will need careful management.
Nevertheless, the enthusiasm from both governments and IIM Bangalore leadership suggests strong commitment to making this campus a success. As India strengthens its position as a global education provider, initiatives like the IIM Bangalore Indonesia campus will play a vital role in shaping the next generation of business leaders across Southeast Asia.
This development not only elevates India’s higher education diplomacy but also opens new doors for collaboration, research, and talent mobility between the two vibrant democracies.