India, Indonesia sign two MoUs; focus on expanding defence cooperation

India and Indonesia today signed agreements in the fields of renewable energy and culture and discussed possibilities of expanding cooperation in counter-terrorism and defence.

Vice President Hamid Ansari, who met his Indonesian counterpart Jusuf Kalla, said that ways to diversify and increase bilateral trade as well to encourage investments in each other's country through private sectors were also discussed.

"For this we will be working to provide a robust and contemporary legal framework," he told reporters.

"We have also discussed possibilities of expanding our cooperation in defence and counter-terrorism through intensification of our existing mechanisms," Ansari said.

The Vice President, who is here on the invitation of Kalla, said that the two countries share similar positions on several global and regional issues including climate change, maritime security and freedom of seas in the South China Sea.

Giving details of one of the agreements signed, Ansari said that India and Indonesia signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for cooperation in new and renewable energy sector.

"This cooperation is important as both India and Indonesia have committed themselves to reduce carbon emissions by 35 per cent and 29 per cent respectively by 2030," he said.

Ansari also said that a MoU for cooperation in cultural field was also signed.

He also thanked Indonesia for supporting India in organising 'Sahabat India - The Festival of India in Indonesia' earlier this year.

Indonesia is the largest ASEAN member and India looks forward to its continued support as we move to increase our engagement with ASEAN member states as part of our Act East policy.

"We congratulate the Government of Indonesia for successfully organising 60th Asian African Conference Commemoration in April 2015 and for assuming chairmanship of Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) last week," he said.

The IORA is an international organisation consisting of coastal states bordering the Indian Ocean. The Association comprises 20 member states, including India and Indonesia and six dialogue partners.

Ansari said India is confident that under the leadership of President Joko Widodo and Vice President Kalla, Indonesia will continue to make all-round progress and bilateral relationship between the two countries will be strengthened.