ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Indonesia on Tuesday discussed strengthening bilateral defence collaboration and reviewed the evolving regional security dynamics and avenues to further strengthen military ties during a high-level meeting held at General Headquarters in Rawalpindi.
According to a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Indonesian Defence Minister Lieutenant General (Retd) Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin, who is on an official visit to Pakistan, called on Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir.
The Indonesian minister was leading a delegation comprising representatives from various military services and intelligence agencies.
During the meeting, “both sides exchanged views on bilateral defence collaboration, regional security dynamics and avenues to further strengthen military ties,” ISPR stated. The meeting underscored the longstanding friendship and cooperation between Pakistan and Indonesia, ISPR stated.
Field Marshal Munir highlighted the importance of mutual cooperation in maintaining peace and stability in the region.
Indonesia’s Defence Minister appreciated the role of the Pakistan Army in the fight against terrorism and reaffirmed Indonesia’s commitment to enhancing defence relations with Pakistan, ISPR stated.
Pakistan, Indonesia defence ties
Earlier, the Indonesian defence minister called on Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif at the PM Office in Islamabad.
During the meeting, Indonesia’s minister expressed Jakarta’s desire to further strengthen defence cooperation with Pakistan, particularly in the area of defence production.
“Indonesia desire to further strengthen defence ties with Pakistan and to explore possible areas for cooperation, especially in defence production”, according to a press release issued by the government-run Press Information Department (PID).
Pakistan and Indonesia maintain strong bilateral relations rooted in shared religion and culture, with both countries cooperating in trade, education, and health.
The Indonesian Defence Minister conveyed the best wishes of President Prabowo Subianto for Prime Minister Sharif and the people of Pakistan, the press release added.
Meanwhile, PM Sharif “reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to explore and expand collaboration with Indonesia in joint ventures of investment in mutually beneficial projects,” according to the press release.
Prime Minister Sharif also reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to enhance bilateral cooperation with Indonesia in all avenues, including economic, strategic and trade sectors, along with defence and defence production.
The Prime Minister highlighted that Pakistan and Indonesia enjoyed a “longstanding friendship rooted in shared cultural, religious and historical bonds, supporting each other at international forums”.
Both sides stressed the importance of “enhancing multifaceted bilateral cooperation”, according to the press release.
“The meeting underscored the deep-rooted historical, brotherly and friendly bilateral relations between Pakistan and Indonesia,” the press release stated.
PM Sharif also reviewed ongoing initiatives under the Pakistan-Indonesia Defence Cooperation Agreement and agreed to “accelerate the implementation of key areas of mutual interest”, the press release added.
