Decide to promote their relations in various fields, including commerce, culture, health, education, professional training.
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif Photo: Radio Pakistan
Pakistan and Indonesia signed seven memorandums of understanding and agreements in Islamabad on Tuesday aimed at further strengthening 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 to this effect came today during a meeting between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto in Islamabad.
Later, during a joint press conference, the Prime Minister assured that he would work collectively with the Indonesian President to achieve the goals set for collaboration in different areas.
Referring to the $4.5 billion bilateral trade, largely in favor of Indonesia, the prime minister said the two sides discussed taking collective steps to balance trade through exports of agricultural products and IT services from Pakistan.
Prime Minister Shehbaz said Pakistan would also send its doctors, dentists, medical professionals and other experts to Indonesia to meet its needs in the field of medicine.
The Prime Minister highlighted that our relations span more than 75 years, with the Indonesian President’s visit coinciding with the anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. He expressed Pakistan’s keen desire to celebrate this occasion in a dignified manner.
Read: Red carpet rolled out for Indonesian president
The Prime Minister recalled that Indonesia stood with Pakistan like a stone wall during our 1965 war with a neighboring country. He said that the people of Pakistan will remember this forever.
Prime Minister Shehbaz was confident that the Indonesian President’s visit would take brotherly relations to a much higher level. He stressed 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 Pakistan and Indonesia agreed to accelerate the rebalancing of bilateral trade relations in practical terms.
He said we also look forward to further strengthening bilateral cooperation in 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 experts to Indonesia to meet its needs in the field of health.
The Indonesian president said that the two countries coordinate in the field of foreign policy and notably share a common position on Palestine. He expressed support for the two-state solution of the Palestinian issue, saying Pakistan and Indonesia would always maintain a common position in this regard.
Learn more: Indonesian President Subianto lands in Islamabad for his first two-day official visit
The Indonesian President expressed his gratitude to the government and people of Pakistan for their warm welcome and kind hospitality during his visit. He said it was an honor for him that PAF fighter jets, including the JF-17 Thunder, escorted his aircraft. The Indonesian President also invited Prime Minister Shehbaz to visit Indonesia on mutually convenient dates.
An official welcome ceremony in honor of Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto was held today morning at the Prime Minister’s House in Islamabad.
On this occasion, the anthems of the two countries were played. A contingent of the armed forces presented a guard of honor to the visiting dignitary.
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto arrived at the Prime Minister’s 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 inspecting the guard of honor, he was presented to the federal ministers.
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto arrived on the red carpet on Monday for a two-day official visit, at the invitation of Prime Minister Shehbaz.
Upon his arrival at Nur Khan Air Base, the Indonesian President was warmly welcomed by President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz, as well as cabinet members and senior officials.
A well-organized contingent of the presidential bodyguard presented a static salute to the visiting dignitary, who was accompanied by a high-level delegation including key ministers and senior officials.
Also read: Pakistan, Indonesia discuss defense relations
This is President Prabowo’s first visit to Pakistan since taking office, with the last presidential visit to Indonesia undertaken 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 Force Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir will also visit President Prabowo.
Several memorandums of understanding (MoUs) are expected to be signed during the visit.
The visit assumes even greater 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 to further strengthen Pakistan-Indonesia relations and explore new avenues of cooperation, including trade, investment, defence, health, IT, climate, education and culture, as well as strengthen collaboration at the regional and global levels.
