- The Indonesian president arrives in Pakistan for a two-day visit.
- Indonesian President holds delegation-level talks with Prime Minister Shehbaz.
- Pakistan and Indonesia agree to enhance trade and defense cooperation.
President Asif Ali Zardari on Tuesday evening conferred the highest civilian award, Nishan-e-Pakistan, on his Indonesian counterpart Prabowo Subianto at a special investiture ceremony held at the Presidential House in Islamabad.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Deputy Prime Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Senate President Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani, National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, Chief of Defense Forces (CDF) and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir and other senior officials attended the ceremony.
During his two-day official visit to Pakistan from December 8 to 9, made at the invitation of Prime Minister Shehbaz, the Indonesian president held separate meetings with the country’s civil and military leaders.
According to a joint statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs, President Subianto held delegation-level talks with Prime Minister Shehbaz and met President Zardari, CDF Field Marshal Munir and others.
The visit had special significance as Pakistan and Indonesia celebrate 75 years of diplomatic relations this year.
Recognizing that bilateral relations predate the independence of both countries, the two sides expressed a firm determination to build on this historical foundation and expand cooperation in all areas of mutual interest.
Both sides agreed to pursue forward-looking cooperation and explore ways to further elevate bilateral engagement.
During the visit, the two sides reviewed the entire spectrum of relations and reaffirmed their commitment to deepening ties in the political and diplomatic, economic and commercial, security and defense, cultural and educational, scientific and technological, and health sectors.
The leaders stressed the importance of enhancing high-level exchanges, political dialogue, effective use of existing bilateral mechanisms and strengthening inter-parliamentary relations.
Economic cooperation
Reaffirming their commitment to expanding trade and economic cooperation, both sides noted that while bilateral trade has doubled since 2014 and surpassed the $4 billion mark, significant opportunities remain untapped.
It was agreed to convene a meeting of the Joint Negotiations Committee (JNC) as soon as possible to convert the existing IP-PTA into a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) by 2027 through deeper concessions, the removal of non-tariff barriers and greater cooperation.
Recognizing the importance of traditional trade commodities, including agricultural and industrial products, palm oil, surgical instruments and pharmaceuticals, both sides also agreed to explore cooperation in services such as information technology, cybersecurity and financial technology.
Furthermore, they emphasized strengthening mutual investments to diversify and expand economic engagement, including in sectors such as agriculture, information technology, mining and minerals, tourism, infrastructure, digital connectivity and energy, through cooperation between the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) of Pakistan and the Indonesian Sovereign Wealth Fund (Danantara).
Recognizing the importance of defense cooperation, both sides agreed to deepen collaboration through enhanced high-level military interactions, institutionalizing defense industrial cooperation, specialized training programs and exchanges between military institutions, in accordance with respective laws.
Both leaders also agreed to explore additional opportunities for defense industry collaboration, as well as maritime and aviation-related training.
Security challenges
The two sides reaffirmed their commitment to cooperate on transnational security challenges, including preventing and combating terrorism, violent extremism and illicit trafficking in narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances, new psychoactive substances and their precursors, in accordance with international law and the Charter of the United Nations.
Pakistan appreciated Indonesia’s progress in strengthening its national health sector. Both sides agreed to expand collaboration in health services, human resource development, medical devices, digital health, emergency preparedness, vaccine production, disease control and maternal and child health, subject to national regulations.
Recognizing the threat posed by climate change, both sides agreed to enhance cooperation on disaster management and climate resilience through knowledge sharing, capacity development and joint initiatives.
Highlighting the potential for collaboration in tourism, anchored in a shared history and culture, both sides reaffirmed their intention to deepen cooperation through knowledge exchange, sustainable tourism initiatives and joint promotional activities.
Pakistan briefed the Indonesian delegation on developments regarding the situation in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).
Humanitarian crisis in Palestine
The leaders expressed their deep concern about the humanitarian crisis in Palestine and reaffirmed their long-standing support for a just, comprehensive and lasting peace based on the two-State solution, in line with UN resolutions and internationally agreed parameters.
Both sides welcomed the Gaza Peace Plan and appreciated its continued diplomatic efforts in support of peace.
Taking advantage of existing bilateral mechanisms, the two sides signed several agreements and memorandums of understanding during the visit.
President Subianto expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and the people of Pakistan for the warm hospitality extended to him.
– With additional contributions from Radio Pakistan.
