PM Modi Begins Three Nation Southeast Asia Tour as He Lands in Indonesia

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Indonesia’s capital city Jakarta on Tuesday on the first leg of his three-nation tour to East Asia during which he will also travel to Malaysia and Singapore to further boost India’s Act East Policy.

Modi, who is in Jakarta on his first-ever official visit to Indonesia, will meet Indonesian President Joko Widodo today to discuss bilateral cooperation in a broad range of areas, including maritime, trade and investment. He is expected to clinch agreements in defence and space.

The two leaders would later attend some events, including a CEO Business Forum organised by the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the Confederation of Indian Industry.

Modi’s visit to Indonesia is significant given the climate around China’s claims in South China Sea. As the distance between India’s Andaman Islands and Indonesia’s Aceh province is not more than 80 nautical miles Indian naval ships make regular visits to Indonesian ports and joint patrolling of the seas has been on going for some years now.

A key highlight of Modi’s visit could be an agreement that allows India access to the strategic island of Sabang at the northern tip of Sumatra and close to the Malacca Strait. That Indonesia could give India access to the island was indicated in a recent speech in New Delhi by visiting Indonesia’s coordinating minister for maritime affairs Luhut Pandjaitan.

In a statement posted on his Facebook page, Modi said he would be in Jakarta at the invitation of Indonesian president Joko Widodo. “This is my first visit to Indonesia as Prime Minister. I am looking forward to my discussions with President Widodo on 30 May, as also to our joint interaction with the India-Indonesia CEOs Forum. I will also address the Indian community in Indonesia,” he said.

“Both countries are multi-ethnic, multi-religious, plural and open societies. I am confident that my visit to Indonesia will create greater synergy between Asia’s two largest democracies and further elevate our bilateral ties,” he said.

India is Indonesia’s largest trading partner among South Asian countries and fourth biggest trading partner in the world. Bilateral trade reached $18.13 billion last year, up 22.34 % from 2016. Both countries aim to grow two-way trade to $50 billion by 2025, while two-way investment is expected to hit $50 billion.

On May 31, PM Narendra Modi, on his way to Singapore, will make a brief halt in Malaysia to congratulate the new Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad. On June 1, PM Modi will call on Singapore President Halimah Yacob and then hold a summit with Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 30, 2018 09:04 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).