ID :
33325
Mon, 12/01/2008 - 20:36
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/33325
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India keen on enhancing strategic ties with Indonesia: Patil
Jakarta, Dec 1 (PTI) India is keen on cementing its strategic ties with Indonesia in various fields, including security cooperation for the benefit of the countries in the South East Asian region and increasing bilateral trade ties to USD ten billion by 2010.
Observing both India and Indonesia are large democracies sharing many common interests, visiting Indian President Pratibha Patil said that it was only appropriate that the two countries develop strategic ties in an expeditious manner.
"We are looking for a significant enhancement in our bilateral ties over the next five yeas in keeping with our commitment as strategic partners," she said in an interview to 'The Jakarta Post'.
This would mean, she said, the two countries would
significantly upgrade the bilateral interaction through the
exchange of high level visits, security cooperation,
cooperation in science and technology, culture and other
areas.
"It is only appropriate that we develop strategic ties in
an expeditious manner. This would not only benefit the two
countries but also other countries of the region," Patil, who
is on a state visit here, said.
Noting that the India- Association of South East Asian
Nations (ASEAN) Free Trade in Goods Agreement has been
concluded and is expected to be signed soon, the Indian
President, who would have wide ranging discussions with her
counterpart Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, said India and Indonesia
would benefit from the facilitating environment created by
this agreement.
She said that a joint study group has been established to
examine the feasibility of a comprehensive economic
cooperation agreement between the two countries which is
expected to submit its report soon.
She said that the trade and economic aspect of the
partnership provided a critical underpinning to the ties and
both countries are resolved to enhance the bilateral trade and
investment ties to ten billion dollars by 2010.
"Our trade volume in 2007 reached 6.5 billion dollars. We
are well on track to reaching a trade turnover of ten billion
dollars by 2010," she said, adding that Indian companies are
showing a renewed interest in making investments in Indonesia.
The President said she was confident that through planned
discussions both countries would be able to consolidate and
reinforce the momentum in the bilateral ties to new heights.
Two agreements on agriculture and sports would be signed
during the visit of Patil after talks with her Indonesian
counterpart Monday.
The Memorandum on cooperation in agriculture and allied
sectors seek to update the earlier MoU on it signed in 1992.
"The objective of the MoU is to encourage and develop
technical and professional cooperation in the field of
agriculture and its related sectors," the agreement said.
The agreement envisaged cooperation in the fields of
agricultural research, crops, horticulture, agricultural
machinery, agro processing, marketing, livestock, poultry,
cooperatives, rain-fed and land and water management,
application of bio-technology and other fields of cooperation,
it said.
The agreement on youth and sports seeks to encourage and
facilitate cooperation between the governments, youth, sports
agencies and other sports organisations in the two countries.
Cooperation is envisaged in exchanges on issues relating
to youth and adolescent development, youth related programmes,
policies and institutions, sports management, sports
equipment, sports science and technology, sports training and
coaching. PTI
Observing both India and Indonesia are large democracies sharing many common interests, visiting Indian President Pratibha Patil said that it was only appropriate that the two countries develop strategic ties in an expeditious manner.
"We are looking for a significant enhancement in our bilateral ties over the next five yeas in keeping with our commitment as strategic partners," she said in an interview to 'The Jakarta Post'.
This would mean, she said, the two countries would
significantly upgrade the bilateral interaction through the
exchange of high level visits, security cooperation,
cooperation in science and technology, culture and other
areas.
"It is only appropriate that we develop strategic ties in
an expeditious manner. This would not only benefit the two
countries but also other countries of the region," Patil, who
is on a state visit here, said.
Noting that the India- Association of South East Asian
Nations (ASEAN) Free Trade in Goods Agreement has been
concluded and is expected to be signed soon, the Indian
President, who would have wide ranging discussions with her
counterpart Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, said India and Indonesia
would benefit from the facilitating environment created by
this agreement.
She said that a joint study group has been established to
examine the feasibility of a comprehensive economic
cooperation agreement between the two countries which is
expected to submit its report soon.
She said that the trade and economic aspect of the
partnership provided a critical underpinning to the ties and
both countries are resolved to enhance the bilateral trade and
investment ties to ten billion dollars by 2010.
"Our trade volume in 2007 reached 6.5 billion dollars. We
are well on track to reaching a trade turnover of ten billion
dollars by 2010," she said, adding that Indian companies are
showing a renewed interest in making investments in Indonesia.
The President said she was confident that through planned
discussions both countries would be able to consolidate and
reinforce the momentum in the bilateral ties to new heights.
Two agreements on agriculture and sports would be signed
during the visit of Patil after talks with her Indonesian
counterpart Monday.
The Memorandum on cooperation in agriculture and allied
sectors seek to update the earlier MoU on it signed in 1992.
"The objective of the MoU is to encourage and develop
technical and professional cooperation in the field of
agriculture and its related sectors," the agreement said.
The agreement envisaged cooperation in the fields of
agricultural research, crops, horticulture, agricultural
machinery, agro processing, marketing, livestock, poultry,
cooperatives, rain-fed and land and water management,
application of bio-technology and other fields of cooperation,
it said.
The agreement on youth and sports seeks to encourage and
facilitate cooperation between the governments, youth, sports
agencies and other sports organisations in the two countries.
Cooperation is envisaged in exchanges on issues relating
to youth and adolescent development, youth related programmes,
policies and institutions, sports management, sports
equipment, sports science and technology, sports training and
coaching. PTI
