India, Indonesia Held Symposium to Improve Bilateral Cooperation  

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - A Symposium between Indian and Indonesian Councils of World Affairs on the subject of ‘Enhancing Bilateral Cooperation between India and Indonesia’ was held in Jakarta on May 21, 2014. The Symposium was held as a follow up to the signing of the MOU for Cooperation between the Councils during the visit of the Prime Minister of India to Indonesia in October 2013.

In his opening remarks, Ambassador Gurjit Singh welcomed the initiative of both Councils to realize the Symposium within a short time of signing of MOU and hoped for a positive outcome on the deliberations of the Symposium. He said that India and Indonesia shared historical ties which have matured into a strategic partnership since 2005. The common commitment to democracy, providing right opportunities for young people, recognizing the diversity and plurality and working for the democratization of the international order has defined the relationship between the two countries, he added.

In terms of economic engagement between the two countries, the Ambassador concluded that there was a need to create new icons in the bilateral engagement by increasing people to people contacts in the field of academic, business and skills development.

The Symposium consisted of three sessions on (i) Domestic Politics and Foreign Policy with focus on recent elections in both countries and their impact, (ii) Regional Strategic Development with focus on India-ASEAN cooperation and RCEP and Geo-political shift in East Asia from both perspectives (iii) Bilateral and Multilateral Cooperation focusing on challenges and opportunities in Trade cooperation, Defence Cooperation/ Maritime Security and multilateral cooperation in various fora like WTO, G-20 and IOR ARC. (*)