Ansari in Indonesia; energy, culture MoUs to be signed

India's Vice President Hamid Ansari arrived here on Sunday on an official visit to Indonesia during which both countries will sign agreements on new and renewable energy and on cultural exchanges.

Ansari, who will be in Indonesia till November 4 at the invitation of his Indonesian counterpart Jusuf Kalla, is accompanied by four members of parliament, officials, media persons and a large business delegation, said a statement from the Indian embassy in Jakarta.

The vice president and his wife were received at the airport by Vice Foreign Minister A.M. Fachir, India's Ambassador Gurjit Singh and other dignitaries.

Ansari will visit Istiqlal Mosque, the largest mosque in Southeast Asia, and meet its head H. Mubarok, and Grand Imam K.H. Ali Mustafa Yakub.

On Monday, Ansari will hold official talks with Kalla, and also call on President Joko Widodo.

A meeting with former president Megawati Sukarnoputri is also expected, the embassy said.

Ansari will visit parliament where he will meet Speaker Zulkifli Hasan and Chairman Irman Gusman.

The governments of India and Indonesia are expected to sign memoranda of understanding on cooperation in new and renewable energy and on cultural exchanges.

The two countries will also exchange notes on acceptance and coming into effect of the Extradition Treaty and the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty.

An MoU will also be signed for establishment of an ayurveda chair at the Faculty of Medicine at Sudirman Campus in Denpasar in Bali.

India and Indonesia enjoy a long standing shared historical affinity and close cultural ties.

The Indian mission said Ansari's visit will provide an opportunity to reaffirm and strengthen bilateral relations including commercial, investment and strategic ties.