Strategic Partnership Enhances RI-India Ties

The Indonesian and Indian governments are strengthening cooperation between the two countries through a comprehensive strategic partnership. The commitment was agreed during a bilateral meeting yesterday in Jakarta.

ANTARA FOTO/WAHYU PUTRO A

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo (right) and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi carry out a "Veranda Talk" during the latter’s state visit at the State Palace in Central Jakarta on Wednesday (30/5/2018). Bilateral, regional and global issues, including cooperation between the two countries as well as preparations to mark the 70th anniversary of Indonesian-Indian diplomatic relations were discussed during the visit.

JAKARTA, KOMPAS — The Indonesian and Indian governments are strengthening cooperation between the two countries through a comprehensive strategic partnership. The commitment was agreed during a bilateral meeting on Wednesday (30/5/2018), led by Indonesian President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Merdeka Palace in Jakarta.

“The strong ties are not only felt by the people of both countries, but also for the stability and security of the region. Indonesia is ready to built stronger cooperation with India,” the President told journalists after the bilateral meeting.

The strategic value of the bilateral ties, the President said, was also shown through cooperation in defense affairs. Another issue being approved was the formation of a task force for developing the infrastructure of the port of Sabang, at the entrance of the Malacca Strait, one of the world’s busiest shipping routes.

Aside from defense and as part of the nine-point agreement, the cooperation also covers space exploration for peace, railway, science and technology, capacity development of civil servants, intergovernmental policy dialogue and research institute interactivity, drug regulation, medicinal ingredients, biology and cosmetics, Bali-Uttarakhand cooperation and health cooperation.

The enhanced cooperation is being prepared ahead of the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Indonesia and India in 2019.

“The history between Indonesia and India is very long. This long history is marked by strong friendship. We are grateful our relations can be maintained,” said President Jokowi.

ANTARA FOTO/WAHYU PUTRO A

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo (center) accompanied by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi (right) listens to the deputy chairman of the Istiqlal Mosque management board Bahrul Hayat at Istiqlal Mosque in Central Jakarta on Wednesday (30/5/2018). Bilateral, regional and global issues, including cooperation between the two countries as well as preparations to mark the 70th anniversary of Indonesian-Indian diplomatic relations were discussed during the state visit.

As for India, analysts said, the improvement of its ties with Indonesia took place amid the increasing regional influence of China. In addition, Modi’s move is part of his Act East policy for strengthening its ties with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

After visiting Indonesia, Modi will head to Malaysia on Thursday and then Singapore to attend the Shangri-La security dialogue.

In his meeting with Modi, President Jokowi made a specific request for a tax cut in palm oil imports from Indonesia to India. The President said Modi was ready to review the policy on the issue.

India, said Modi, wanted to increase the trade value to US$50 billion by 2025. This is in line with the upward trend in Indian investment in Indonesia, which now stands at $18.7 billion.

So is the arrival of Indian tourists to Indonesia in 2016-2017 that increases 28.8 percent or around 500,000 people. Flight schedules in the past two years also increased to 28 times per week.

Tourism Minister Arief Yahya targeted a 40 percent increase in the arrival of Indian tourists from 2017 to 700,000 people this year.

Aside from bilateral meeting at Merdeka Palace, President Jokowi and Prime Minister Modi headed to National Monument Park to attend the India-Indonesia Kite Exhibition, which was held to strengthen bilateral ties. At the location, Jokowi and M Modi flew kites together.

KOMPAS/WAWAN H PRABOWO

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi fly kites with Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan, Tourism Minister Arief Yahya and Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi at Monas in Central Jakarta on Wednesday (30/5/2018). The visit of the Indian prime minister to Indonesia is a part of the preparations for the celebration of the 70 years of Indonesian-Indian diplomatic relations in 2019.

(NDY/ARN)