India, Indonesia to expand ties

 

 

INDIA and Indonesia on Saturday decided to work jointlyindefencemanufacturingand supplychains,diversifytwo-way tradebasketandboostmaritime security tieswithPrimeMinister Narendra Modi describing the Southeast Asian nation as an “important partner” of New Delhi in the Indo-Pacific. Followingwide-ranging talks between Modi and visiting Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, atleast fivepactsproviding for cooperation in areas ofhealth,maritimesecurity,culture and digital space were signed. In his media statement, Modi said that both sides are committed tomaintainpeace, security and a rules-based order in the region and that freedom of navigation must be ensuredin accordancewith international laws.

 

The assertion came amid China’s growingmilitarymuscle-flexing in the South China Sea as well as in the IndoPacific.ThePrimeMinisteralso said that both sides emphasised on cooperation in maritime security, cyber security, counter-terrorismandde-radicalisation. Subianto, who arrived here onThursdaynightprimarily to grace the Republic Day celebrationsas thechiefguest,said Indonesia’s partnership with India is “very important” and that he has issued directions to his officials for accelerating thebilateraleconomicengagement. In his remarks, Modi said both sides also decided to further strengthen mutual cooperation in areas such as FinTech,Artificial Intelligence, Internet of Things and digital public infrastructure. Both sides also decided to work together in the areas of energy,criticalmineralsandscience and technology.