India, Indonesia agree to strengthen cultural, economic ties |
Indian Minister Narendra Modi, who is on his first official visit to Indonesia, met President Joko Widodo on May 30 and discussed strategic cooperation between the two countries in an effort to boost economic and cultural ties. India and Indonesia signed 15 agreements, including one to boost defence cooperation and called for freedom of navigation in the strategic Indo-Pacific region. PM Modi said: “As mutual partners and neighbours, our worries are similar. It is our duty to ensure maritime security and safety. This is also for the safety of our economic interests. ”A joint statement by President Widodo and PM Modi said that the two countries had signed the Defence Cooperation Agreement which will further strengthen and renew the existing cooperation for the mutual benefit of the two countries and the region.Modi also strongly condemned the recent terror strikes on three churches in Indonesia`s second-largest city Surabaya and said India stands resolutely with Jakarta in the fight against terrorism. The two leaders reiterated their strong condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations including cross-border terrorism and terror-related incidents in Indonesia and India and affirmed that perpetrators of these heinous acts must be brought to justice.
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