India and Indonesia reaffirmed their commitment to deepening their bilateral partnership and enhancing regional and global cooperation during President Prabowo Subianto's visit to India as the Chief Guest for the 76th Republic Day celebrations.
The two leaders, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Prabowo, discussed a wide range of issues, including strengthening the ASEAN-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, and promoting peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. Both the leaders welcomed the ongoing collaboration under the India-Indonesia-Australia trilateral format to address key challenges, including maritime domain awareness, marine pollution, and advancing the blue economy.
The Indian Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement: "The two leaders agreed to strengthen efforts towards implementation of the ASEAN-India Joint Statement on Cooperation on the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific for Peace, Stability, and Prosperity in the Region through existing ASEAN-led mechanisms with trust and confidence based on shared democratic values, strong belief in sovereignty and territorial integrity, and a shared commitment to the rule of law and the principles of the UN Charter."
Both leaders reaffirmed working together on regional and global issues of common interest while endeavouring to strengthen bilateral partnership through the ASEAN-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
Both leaders also agreed to further strengthen people-to-people ties as a cornerstone of the India-Indonesia partnership. In this spirit, they welcomed the celebration of 2025 as the ASEAN-India Year of Tourism, recognising the potential to further enhance cultural exchanges, people-to-people contact and tourism.
Both leaders welcomed efforts to synergise the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific and the Indo-Pacific Oceans' Initiative (IPOI), particularly highlighting Indonesia's co-leadership in IPOI, alongside France, on the Maritime Resources Pillar. They urged the officials to expedite the implementation of activities, including taking stock of fishing architecture, promoting sustainable aquaculture and mariculture, addressing Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing, fostering cooperation with regional organisations such as Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Pacific Islands Forum (PIF), as well as advancing initiatives related to mangroves, environmental impact assessments, mapping exercises for marine mineral exploration, the press release said.
Taking the commitment to maintain stability in the Indo-Pacific region forward, both leaders reaffirmed commitment to regional peace and security and welcomed the ongoing cooperation under the India-Indonesia-Australia trilateral format to address common challenges, exchange views and explore opportunities for collaboration including in the areas of maritime domain awareness, marine pollution, blue economy and also under the frameworks of East Asia Summit (EAS), Indo-Pacific Oceans' Initiative (IPOI) and Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA).
Notably, at the invitation of the PM Modi, President of Indonesia, Prabowo Subianto paid a State Visit to India from January 23-26. He also attended the celebrations of the 76th Republic Day of India as the Chief Guest. He was accompanied by a high-level delegation including several Ministers as well as Senior Officials of the Indonesian government and a business delegation.
(ANI)