ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Indonesia signed several memoranda of understanding (MoUs) and agreements aimed at enhancing bilateral cooperation in different sectors in a ceremony attended by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto.
The MoUs and agreements pertain to a wide range of sectors, including trade, culture, health, education, and vocational training.
Addressing a joint press stakeout afterwards, PM Shehbaz pledged to work closely with Indonesia to achieve the goals set for cooperation in various fields.
Referring to the current bilateral trade volume of 4.5 billion dollars, the prime minister said both sides discussed taking joint measures to balance trade, particularly through increased exports of agricultural products and IT services from Pakistan.
PM Shehbaz said that Pakistan will also send doctors, dentists, medical professionals, and other experts to Indonesia to help meet its needs in the healthcare sector.
The prime minister noted that Pakistan and Indonesia’s ties span over seventy-five years, with President Subianto’s visit coinciding with the anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. He expressed Pakistan’s strong desire to celebrate this milestone in a meaningful way.
He recalled that Indonesia stood firmly by Pakistan during the 1965 war with a neighbouring country and said, the support will always be remembered by the people of Pakistan.
PM Shehabz expressed confidence that the Indonesian President’s visit will elevate the brotherly relations between the two nations to new heights. He said their shared commitment to working together for progress and peace, not only for their own countries but for the entire region.
Separately, following the MoU signing ceremony, the Indonesian president met Chief of Army Staff (COAS) and Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Field Marshal Asim Munir, said the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).
“During the meeting, matters of mutual interest, regional security, and bilateral defence cooperation were discussed. Both sides reaffirmed their resolve to further strengthen existing ties between the armed forces of the two brotherly countries,” the military’s media wing said.
The visiting dignitary appreciated the professionalism of the Pakistan Armed Forces and acknowledged Pakistan’s role in promoting regional peace and stability.
Meanwhile, CDF Field Marshal Munir reiterated that Pakistan values its longstanding relations with Indonesia and is committed to expanding defence collaboration in training, counter-terrorism, and capacity-building domains.
Earlier, upon arrival at the PM House, President Subianto was accorded a warm reception and a guard of honour as he arrived. The national anthems of Indonesia and Pakistan were played while both leaders stood on the saluting dais.
A smartly attired contingent of the three services of the Pakistan armed forces presented the guard of honour, which the Indonesian president reviewed.
President Subianto also planted a commemorative sapling in the lawn of the PM’s House.
The two leaders introduced their respective delegations to each other before proceeding to a one-on-one meeting, followed by talks at the delegation level.
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.
