Watch: A lift in ties as PM Modi, Joko Widodo fly kites in Jakarta

#WATCH PM Narendra Modi and Indonesian President Joko Widodo fly kites at a Kite exhibition in Jakarta pic.twitter.com/pQg39OgvOZ

— ANI (@ANI) May 30, 2018

Modi met with Widodo at the Merdeka Palace — one of the presidential palaces in Indonesia’s Jakarta — and was accorded a red carpet welcome on his arrival. He also visited Istiqlal Mosque in Jakarta. Follow Narendra Modi in Indonesia LIVE

The Prime Minister is on the first leg of his five-day three-nation tour to Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore. After holding extensive talks on a broad range of issues, PM Modi and Widodo agreed to upgrade their ties to Comprehensive Strategic Partnership as the two countries signed 15 agreements including one on defence cooperation. The agreement also included the cooperation in the field of defence, space, science and technology, railways and health.

Modi, who is on his first ever official visit to Indonesia, said both the countries have agreed to upgrade their ties to Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. In a joint press statement after the talks, he also said that India’s Act East Policy and the vision of SAGAR (Security and Growth for all in the Region) matches President Widodo’s Maritime Fulcrum Policy.

Indonesia President Joko Widodo and Prime Minister Narendra Modi jointly unveiled a Kite Exhibition on the theme of Ramayana and Mahabharat,” Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement. (Reuters photo)

“India and Indonesia will double their efforts to take bilateral trade to USD 50 billion by 2025,” he said.

Modi and Widodo, during the meeting, highlighted potential areas of cooperation in marine, economy, and socio-culture as well as discussed regional and global issues.

Strongly condemning the recent terror strikes on three churches in Indonesia’s second-largest city Surabaya, PM Modi said India stands resolutely with Jakarta in the fight against terror.

(With inputs from agencies)