PM Modi, Indonesian President Widodo agree to take bilateral relations to new level

PM Narendra Modi held talks with Indonesian President Widodo in Jakarta. They discussed economic and political issues. Both the leaders exhorted the confidence to further boost the ties between the two nations. In total 2 agreements 13 MOUs and 3 annoucements resulted from the talks. A report.

The warmth and bonhomie evident at the Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s meeting with Indonesian President Joko Widodo signifies the importance of growth in ties. During first leg of his three nation tour, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held talks with President Widodo and underlined importance of boosting diplomatic, trade and economic ties between the two nations. Both the leaders reiterated the need for “free, open, transparent, rule-based, peaceful, prosperous and inclusive Indo-Pacific region”

India is exploring new dimensions of development in collaboration with East Asian countries. That is the prime reason behind the Act east Policy initiated by Prime Minister Modi in 2014. During the talks, both sides agreed to set a target to enhnace bilateral trade to 50 billion dollars by 2025.

15 agreements in various fields including defence, science and technological cooperation, railways and health were also signed. These include

– Agreement for cooperation in Defence covering regular bilateral dialogue on strategic defence issues, exchange of information, military education and training.
– Framework Agreement on exploration and uses of outer space for peaceful purposes
– MOU on Technical Cooperation in Railways including capacity building, modernization of rolling stock, signaling, communication system and operations.
– MOU between Kite Museum Ahmedabad and Layang Layang, Jakarta for Annual Kite Festivals.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the act east policy and S A G A R initiative blends perfectly with similar policies of Indonesia.

The two countries have a shared Vision on Maritime Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific. They emphasized their “collective interests in a prosperous Indo-Pacific region by enhancing connectivity for promoting regional prosperity based on universally recognized international norms, good governance, rule of law, openness, transparency, equality and respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity. Both nations emphasized an expeditious conclusion of ASEAN-India Maritime Transport Agreement.

The Prime Minister paid tribute to the martyrs in the Kalibata National Heros Cemetery located in the capital Jakarta. This monument was built in memory of people who died in Indonesia’s independence struggle. The Prime Minister expressed deep concern over the growing terror attacks and condemned cowardly terrorists attack in Indonesia.

After this, a grand welcome ceremony was held at the presidential palace in the honour of Prime Minister Modi where President Widodo received the Prime Minister. He was given customary guard of honor. Prime Minister also met the children at the Mardaca Palace. Children of both the nations wearing traditional attire were all animated and excited while meeting the prime minister.

The bonhomie between PM Modi and President Widodo is testimony to the strong association of the two Asian power houses.

Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Indonesia has opened a new chapter not only in the bilateral ties of the two countries but also for India’s engagement with ASEAN region as a whole.

“A prosperous Indo-Pacific region by enhancing connectivity for promoting regional prosperity based on universally recognized international norms, good governance, rule of law, openness, transparency, equality and respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity and in this regard looking forward to the expeditious conclusion of ASEAN-India Maritime Transport Agreement”