Journalism of Courage
P Vaidyanathan Iyer
Taking their strategic partnership to the next level,India and Indonesia Friday identified terrorism and trafficking,food security and maritime security as areas of common concern where cooperation needs to be significantly stepped up.
India and Indonesia signed six memoranda of understanding in health,anti-corruption,combating illicit trafficking,disaster management,public policy cooperation and global affairs. Terming Indonesia as one of Indias most valued partners in its Look East policy,Singh said,We have many convergent interests and responsibilities in bilateral,regional and global forums. As maritime neighbours along one of the most critical sea links in the world,we also have shared interests in maritime security.
President Yudhoyono said the global economy faced new shocks. The challenges faced by India and Indonesia are similar this reality has given us a new spirit, he said after a day-long bilateral meeting which included a one-to-one meeting with Prime Minister Singh. Noting that Indonesia and India possess large population they are two of the four most populous nations in the world the President said food security was a critical area where the two would not only share research and technology and innovation efforts.
We will make joint investment to safeguard food price security. Market distortion in prices is unbelievable We will work together in World Trade Organisation to ensure trade is more just, Yudhoyono said. He also underlined cooperation in facing terrorism.
Briefing mediapersons after the bilateral meeting,Ashok Kantha,Secretary East,Ministry of External Affairs,said there have been eight visits four in either direction during the last 10 years. The outcome document finalised adds further depth and content to the strategic partnership established in 2005, he said. The two countries will also soon produce a Vision 2025 document with the external affairs ministries conducting joint committee meetings every year against alternate years as was the norm hitherto.
