They decide to promote their relationships in various fields, including trade, culture, health, education, vocational training.
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Photo: Radio Pakistan
Pakistan and Indonesia on Tuesday signed seven memorandums of understanding and agreements in Islamabad to further enhance bilateral cooperation in various fields.
The MoUs and agreements include cooperation in higher education, a grant program for Indonesian state scholarships, facilitation of business development for small and medium-sized enterprises, collaboration between national archives, narcotics control and cooperation in preventing and combating illicit drug trafficking, cooperation in trade and Halal certification, and cooperation in the field of health.
Pakistan and Indonesia have decided to promote their relations in various fields, including trade, culture, health, education and vocational training. The agreement in this regard came today at a meeting between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto in Islamabad.
Later, in a joint press conference, the prime minister assured that he would work together with the Indonesian president to achieve the established objectives of collaboration in different areas.
Referring to the $4.5 billion bilateral trade, which largely favors Indonesia, the prime minister said the two sides have discussed taking collective steps to balance trade through Pakistan’s exports of agricultural products and IT services.
Prime Minister Shehbaz has said that Pakistan will also send its doctors, dentists, medical professionals and other related experts to Indonesia to fulfill its requirements in the field of medicine.
The Prime Minister noted that our relations date back more than 75 years and that the visit of the President of Indonesia coincided with the anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. He expressed Pakistan’s strong desire to celebrate this occasion in a befitting manner.
Read: The red carpet is rolled out for the president of Indonesia
The prime minister recalled that Indonesia supported Pakistan like a stone wall in our 1965 war with a neighboring country. He said this will be remembered by the people of Pakistan forever.
Prime Minister Shehbaz expressed confidence that the visit of the Indonesian president will take brotherly relations to a much higher level. He emphasized that they would work together to promote progress and peace, not only for their own countries but for the entire region.
Speaking on the occasion, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto said that both Pakistan and Indonesia agreed to accelerate the rebalancing of bilateral trade relations in practical terms.
He said we also hope to further enhance bilateral cooperation in the fields of education, agriculture, health and other areas of mutual interest.
He thanked Prime Minister Shehbaz and the Government of Pakistan for expressing their willingness to send doctors, dentists, medical professionals and other related experts to Indonesia to meet their requirements in the field of health.
The Indonesian president has said that both countries are coordinating in the field of foreign policy and, in particular, have a shared position on Palestine. He expressed support for the two-state solution to the Palestine issue and said that both Pakistan and Indonesia will always maintain a common stance in this regard.
Read more: Indonesian President Subianto lands in Islamabad for his first two-day official visit
The President of Indonesia expressed his gratitude to the government and people of Pakistan for extending him a warm welcome and gracious hospitality during his visit. He said it is an honor for him to have PAF fighter jets, including the JF-17 Thunder, escort his plane. The President of Indonesia also invited Prime Minister Shehbaz to visit Indonesia at mutually convenient dates.
A formal welcome ceremony was held this morning in honor of Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto at the Prime Minister House in Islamabad.
Anthems from both countries were played on the occasion. A contingent of the armed forces presented a guard of honor to the visiting dignitary.
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto arrived at the Prime Minister House in Islamabad, where Prime Minister Shehbaz gave him a warm welcome. He also planted a memorial tree at the prime minister’s house. After reviewing the guard of honor, he was presented to the federal ministers.
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto arrived on Monday to a red carpet welcome for a two-day official visit, at the invitation of Prime Minister Shehbaz.
Upon arrival at Nur Khan Air Base, the Indonesian President was warmly welcomed by President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz, along with cabinet members and senior officials.
An elegant contingent of the Presidential Guard presented a static salute to the visiting dignitary, who was accompanied by a high-level delegation comprising key ministers and senior officials.
Also read: Pakistan and Indonesia discuss defense relations
This is President Prabowo’s first visit to Pakistan since taking office, with the last presidential visit from Indonesia being made by then-President Joko Widodo in 2018.
During his stay, President Prabowo will hold delegation-level talks with Prime Minister Shehbaz and meet with President Zardari. Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defense Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir will also visit President Prabowo.
Several Memorandums of Understanding (MoU) are expected to be signed during the visit.
The visit has added significance as it coincides with the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and Indonesia.
The two sides will discuss a broad agenda aimed at further strengthening relations between Pakistan and Indonesia and exploring new avenues of cooperation, including trade, investment, defence, health, information technology, climate, education and culture, as well as enhancing collaboration at regional and global levels.
