Pakistan, Indonesia sign seven MoUs to boost bilateral cooperation

Decide to promote their relations in diverse fields, including trade, culture, health, education, vocational training

Pakistan and Indonesia have signed seven Memorandums of Understanding and Agreements to further enhance bilateral cooperation in diverse fields in Islamabad on Tuesday.

The MoUs and agreements include cooperation in higher education, a grant program for Indonesian state scholarships, facilitation of business development for small and medium enterprises, collaboration between national archives, narcotics control and cooperation in preventing and combating illicit drug trafficking, cooperation in Halal trade and certification, and cooperation in the field of health.

Pakistan and Indonesia have decided to promote their relations in diverse fields, including trade, culture, health, education and vocational training. The understanding to this effect came at a meeting between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto in Islamabad today.

Later, addressing a joint press stakeout, the prime minister assured to work collectively with the Indonesian President to achieve the targets set for collaboration in different fields.

Referring to the bilateral trade of $4.5 billion, which is largely in favour of Indonesia, the prime minister said the two sides have discussed taking collective measures to balance the trade through exports of agricultural products and IT services from Pakistan.

PM 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 span over 75 years, with the visit of the Indonesian President coinciding with the anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. He expressed Pakistan's strong desire to celebrate this occasion in a befitting manner.

Read: Red carpet rolled out for Indonesian president

The prime minister recalled that Indonesia stood by Pakistan like a rock wall in our 1965 war with a neighbouring country. He said this will be remembered by the people of Pakistan for all time to come.

PM Shehbaz was confident that the visit of the Indonesian President would take the brotherly relations to a much higher level. He emphasised 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, President of Indonesia Prabowo Subianto said both Pakistan and Indonesia agreed to expedite rebalancing of bilateral trade relations in practical terms.

He said we also look forward to further enhancing bilateral cooperation in the fields of education, agriculture, health and other areas of mutual interest.

He thanked PM Shehbaz and the Government of Pakistan for expressing willingness to send doctors, dentists, medical professionals and other related experts to Indonesia to fulfill its requirements in the field of health.

The Indonesian President has said both countries are coordinating in the field of foreign policy as well particularly having a shared stance on Palestine. He expressed support for the two-state solution of the Palestine issue, saying 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 a warm reception and gracious hospitality during his visit. He said it is an honour for him that PAF fighter jets, including JF-17 Thunder, escorted his plane. The Indonesian President also invited PM Shehbaz to visit Indonesia at mutually convenient dates.

A formal welcome ceremony in honour of the President of Indonesia, Prabowo Subianto, was held at the prime minister's House in Islamabad today morning.

On the occasion, anthems of both countries were played. A contingent of armed forces presented a guard of honour to the visiting dignitary.

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto arrived at the prime minister’s House in Islamabad, where PM Shehbaz gave him a warm welcome. He also planted a commemorative tree at the prime minister’s House. After inspecting the guard of honour, he was introduced to federal ministers.

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto arrived on Monday to a red-carpet welcome for a two-day official visit, at the invitation of PM Shehbaz.

Upon his arrival at Nur Khan Airbase, the Indonesian president was warmly received by President Asif Ali Zardari and PM Shehbaz, along with the cabinet members and senior officials.

A smartly turned-out contingent of the Presidential Bodyguard 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, Indonesia discuss defence ties

This is President Prabowo's first visit to Pakistan since assuming office, as the last presidential visit from Indonesia was undertaken by the then-President Joko Widodo in 2018.

During his stay, President Prabowo will hold delegation-level talks with PM Shehbaz and meet President Zardari. The Chief of Army Staff and the Chief of Defence Forces, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, will also call on President Prabowo.

Several Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) are expected to be signed during the visit.

The visit carries 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 wide-ranging agenda aimed at further strengthening Pakistan-Indonesia relations and exploring new avenues of cooperation, including trade, investment, defence, health, IT, climate, education and culture, as well as enhancing collaboration at regional and global levels.