In a bid to contain China’s influence in the Indian Ocean region, India and Indonesia on Friday decided to enhance their maritime cooperation even as Prime Minister Manmohan Singh called for early ratification of the extradition treaty between the two countries.
On Singh’s first bilateral visit to Indonesia, the two sides also signed six MoUs, including those to combat corruption and narcotics trafficking besides disaster management assistance.
The two sides also decided to step up bilateral cooperation in combatting terrorism, piracy, drug and human trafficking, organized crime, and counterfeiting. “We have directed our officials to evolve a comprehensive action plan for meaningful and mutually beneficial security cooperation,” Singh said after his meeting with Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.
The joint statement called for steps to explore collaboration in sale and co-production of defence equipment, mutually agreed defence-related research activities apart from training and capacity-building.
On his part, the PM also stressed for an immediate ratification of the extradition and mutual legal assistance treaties signed between the two countries in 2011, a move that would establish strong judicial cooperation.
The Indian side also offered help to Indonesia in launching micro satellites into space with Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and national Institute of Aeronautics and Space of Indonesia working on concluding an inter-governmental framework agreement.
{{/usCountry}}The Indian side also offered help to Indonesia in launching micro satellites into space with Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and national Institute of Aeronautics and Space of Indonesia working on concluding an inter-governmental framework agreement.
{{/usCountry}} On his part, Yudhoyono sought India’s cooperation with ASEAN on food security, highlighting the importance of food security for the people of the region.