RI, India agree to expand economic, energy cooperation

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Indonesia and India on Monday agreed to expand bilateral cooperation to cover a range of new areas, including exclusive economic zone cooperation, alternative energy development, and mutual legal assistance.

Indonesian Foreign Minister Hassan Wirajuda and his Indian counterpart, Pranab Mukherjee, signed the agreement at the end of the third ministerial joint commission meeting held at the Indonesian Foreign Ministry building here on June 15-18.

"The meeting was held in a cordial and constructive way. The delegations of the two countries held talks and exchanged views on various spheres of cooperation to explore and develop potentials of cooperation in all fields," Wirajuda said.

The various spheres of cooperation cover politics, defense and security, economy, trade, industry, tourism and culture, transportation, energy, health and pharmacy, education and training, as well as science and technology.

"We realize the unique characteristics of relations between Indonesia and India as Asia`s two largest democratic countries which have had historical ties since several centuries ago," he said.

Therefore, he added, the two governments were highly convinced that the outcome of the joint commission meeting would lay a firm basis for the continuation of the bilateral cooperation for the benefit of the two peoples.

"Indonesia warmly welcomes the Indian prime minister`s offer to help restore the Prambanan temple compounds as well as to follow up on the results of the joint commission meeting, especially those related to the development of nuclear technology," he said.

Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Mukherjee said relations between Indonesia and India had increased significantly, particularly since the signing of a new strategic partnership agreement between the two countries during President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono`s visit to India in November 2005.

To follow up on the agreement, the two nations had agreed to an action plan to implement all bilateral cooperations in a concrete and measurable way, he said.

Indonesia and India established diplomatic ties on March 3, 1951.

Two-way trade amounted to US$4.2 billion in 2006 compared to US$3.9 billion a year earlier. The figure is projected to reach US$10 billion by 2010.