PM Narendra Modi’s push to ‘Act East’
Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives in Jakarta on Tuesday evening, on his first state visit to Indonesia. The historic visit of PM Modi is set to give a substantive boost to India’s Act East Policy and Indonesia’s Free and Active Foreign Policy.
The two leaders have held several bilateral meetings and have also met on the sidelines of multilateral for a like India-ASEAN summits and East Asia summits. In his pre departure statement, PM Modi wrote
This is my first visit to Indonesia as Prime Minister. I am looking forward to my discussions with President Widodo on 30 May, as also to our joint interaction with the India-Indonesia CEOs Forum. I will also address the Indian Community in Indonesia. India and Indonesia enjoy strong and friendly ties and share deep historical and civilizational linkages. Both countries are multi ethnic, multi religious, plural and open societies. I am confident that my visit to Indonesia will create greater synergy between Asia’s two largest democracies and further elevate our bilateral ties
Prime Minister’s first official engagement was a visit to the KALIBATA Heroes CEMETRY in South Jakarta, where he would pay homage to the Indonesian national heroes who died fighting in Indonesia’s war of Independence, and whose mortal remains are buried.
He was then accorded a ceremonial reception at the Presidential Palace. Talks between him and the Indonesian President will also take place. Both sides are expected to ink agreements in the fields of defence, space and science and technology
Think of Jakarta and the first thing that comes to mind is MONAS – an abbreviation for Indonesian term Monumen Nationaal or National Monument. After the red carpet at the Presidential Palace and talks with the Indonesian President Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be visiting Monas – the main landmark of Jakarta, next to the Presidential Palace.
The 2 leaders will jointly inaugurate a Kite Festival and witness a Kite Exhibition that will showcase the strong civilizational linkages between the 2 countries.
PM Modi and President Widodo will interact with Indian and Indonesian CEOs with the aim of boosting bilateral trade and commercial ties
India-Indonesian trade has grown over 4 times in the last 10 years alone to 18 billion dollars. Indian companies have invested over 15 billion dollars in Indonesia and created 2,50,000 jobs here. But the balance of trade is heavily in Indonesia’s favour – an imbalance that India seeks to correct
People to people ties between India and Indonesia are set to get a boost too during the course of the PM’s visit as PM Modi will address the Indian diaspora at a community reception in Jakarta
India and Indonesia have a Strategic Partnership since 2005. Especially over the last couple of years a lot of vibrancy has been injected into the bilateral partnership with frequent high level visits. Prime Minister’s visit to Indonesia is expected to take bilateral ties and partnership in the Indo Pacific region to new heights.
