On this day, Monday, 18th of June 2007, the meeting of the Third Joint Commission between Indonesia and India was held in Jakarta and Co-Chaired by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Indonesia HE Dr. N. Hassan Wirajuda and the Minister of External Affairs
of India HE Mr. Pranab Mukherjee. The first two meetings were conducted in Yogyakarta in 2003 and in New Delhi in 2005 respectively. Today's meeting assumes great significance since it is the first meeting after the forging of a "New Strategic Partnership"
by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh during the State Visit of the former to India in November 2005.
The meeting of the Joint Commission was convened in a warm and friendly atmosphere. The Delegations from both countries discussed and exchanged views on the various sectors of cooperation to explore and expand cooperation in a range of fields, including political,
defense and security, transportation, economy and investment, health, education and training, science and technology, tourism and culture, technical cooperation and legal cooperation. The Agreed Minutes were signed by both Heads of Delegation to signify their
intention to strengthen and deepen bilateral cooperation bearing in mind the challenges facing Asia's two largest and pluralistic democracies.
With an intention to implement the New Strategic Partnership, both countries have agreed upon a Plan of Action to implement this partnership in a clear and measurable manner. Some of the highlights of bilateral relations discussed during the Joint Commission
Meeting include the following:
- The appreciation of both countries on the convening of the First Joint Defense Cooperation Committee between Indonesia and India on 12-14 June 2007 in Jakarta, after the ratification of the Defense Cooperation Agreement between Indonesia and India in December
2006;
- The significant increase in the exchange of visits between members of parliament, government and military officials, trade missions, academicians, and "people to people" exchanges from both countries over the past few years;
- Enhancing economic, investment and trade relations through the diversification of the trade basket and addressing the impediments to the expansion of trade and investment, with the aim of reaching the two-way trade volume target of US$ 10 billion by 2010,
as mentioned in the Joint Declaration of 2005;
- The meeting identified new fields of cooperation, such as Special Economic Zone cooperation, development of alternative energy sources, the conclusion of a Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT) in Criminal Matters and Extradition Treaty, cooperation in
health and pharmaceuticals, oil and gas, and mining, biotechnology and women's empowerment.
- The Indian delegation expressed appreciation at the extension of Visa on Arrival facilities to Indian nationals by Indonesia and also take note to simplify of Indian visa grants for Indonesian nationals;
- The meeting discussed the strengthening of cooperation in information technology, nuclear technology, biotechnology, tele-education, tele-health, and strengthening cooperation in space technology, especially after the successful establishment of the Second
Telemetry Tracking and Command Centre in Biak by ISRO and the recent piggy back launch of the LAPAN TUBSAT Micro Satellite by India in January 2007;
- The Indonesian side welcomed the Indian Prime Minister's offer to assist in the restoration work at the Prambanan Temple Complex through the Archaeological Survey of India; both sides agreed to cooperate closely in the hospitality and tourism sector as
well.
- Both sides have also agreed to enhance technical cooperation and cooperation in education through the granting of scholarships to students of both countries.
As a symbol of India's contribution to the recovery of Aceh, a Memorandum of Understanding concerning the Setting Up of a Vocational Training Center for the Construction Sector in Aceh was signed by the Minister of Public Works of Indonesia Mr. Djoko Kirmanto
and the Minister of External Affairs of India.
The Ministers emphasized the unique characteristics of the relations between India and Indonesia as Asia's two largest and pluralistic democracies and recalled that the two countries have had contacts in history for more than of 2000 years. They expressed their
confidence that the outcome of the Joint Commission Meeting would build a strong foundation for Indonesia and India to continue cooperation for the mutual benefit of their peoples.
Jakarta,
June 18, 2007