Prime Minister Modi and Indonesian President Joko Widodo held bilateral discussions
Highlights
- PM held talks with Indonesia president, stressed on maritime security
- Two leaders reiterated need for "free, transparent, Indo-Pacific region"
- PM Modi is on three-nation visit to Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is in Jakarta, his first stop of his three-nation visit to maritime neighbours - Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore. India and Indonesia elevated their bilateral ties to that of a Comprehensive Strategic Partnerhsip to step up defence and maritime cooperation, with plans to develop a strategic Indonesian naval port in the Indian Ocean. The Prime Minister's five-day visit is aimed at enhancing India's engagements - strategic and business - with all the three countries, which are part of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). The Prime Minister expressed the hope that this visit will further boost India's Act East policy. PM Modi's visit is being seen as a new shift in strategic ties with Indonesia, in the backdrop of China's rising influence in the Pacific region.
Here are your top 10 points of PM Modi's visit to Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore
On Wednesday morning, PM Modi held bilateral discussions with Indonesian President Joko Widodo. In his press statement PM Modi said,''For the development of the Indo-Pacific region we have agreed to the same shared vision. India's Act East Policy and SAGAR (Security and Growth for all in the Region) matches President Widodo's Maritime Fulcrum Policy''
In a joint statement, the leaders stressed on the need for "free, open, transparent, rule-based, peaceful, prosperous and inclusive Indo-Pacific region"
India and Indonesia signed 15 agreements in the fields of defence, science and technological cooperation, railways and health
India's access to critical sea routes near Malacca will allow it to track commercial ships in areas where India is worried about the security of the sea lanes of communication in the larger Indo-Pacific area, and Indonesia about Chinese maritime intrusions as well as its attempts to include the island chain in its territorial maps
In mid-May Indonesia agreed to give India access to the strategic island of Sabang, close to the Malacca Strait; India is planning investment in the Sabang port area
India and Indonesia have agreed to triple bilateral trade to USD 50 billion. In 2016, trade between the two countries was USD 12.9 billion
PM Modi and President Widodo welcomed the agreement between Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Confederation of Indian Industry (CII). A CII office will be set up in Jakarta.
India and Indonesia will have greater sea links to facilitate economic cooperation; both leaders welcomed the plan to build link between Andaman Nicobar and Aceh to tap the economic potentials of both areas.
In the evening, the Prime Minister will interact with business leaders in Indonesia and address the Indian gathering in Jakarta.
The Prime Minister will then leave for Singapore where he will hold talks on developing a bilateral partnership in key sectors of finance, skill development, urban planning and artificial intelligence. He will also attend a roundtable with select top CEOs.
Post a comment