REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Indonesia on Monday expressed the hope for enhanced bilateral relations, especially trade cooperation, with India.
"Trade between Indonesia and India is close to US$20 billion a year and there is still potential for us to increase it," Indonesia's vice president Jusuf Kalla said after receiving Indian vice president Mohammad Hamid Ansari at his office.
Indian vice president Mohammad Hamid Ansari is visiting Indonesia from November 1 to 4.
Kalla said there is potential for better cooperation with Indonesia in a number of sectors, including commodities trade and industrial cooperation.
Indian vice president Ansari said his visit was aimed at expanding and deepening cooperation with Indonesia and India considers the country a strategic partner.
"We have discussed ways to diversify and increase bilateral trade and also boost investment in the two countries through private sectors," he said.
During his visit, vice president Ansari would witness the signing of a memorandum of understanding in the area of developing new and renewable energy sources.
"The cooperation is important because India and Indonesia are committed to reducing carbon emissions by 35 percent and 29 percent, respectively, by 2030," he said.
The two countries, he added, would seriously follow up their cooperation in the field.
"Indonesia's Minister of Energy will in the near future visit India," he added.
Vice President Ansari arrived in Jakarta on Sunday and visited the Istiqlal Mosque, Indonesia's biggest.
He is scheduled to meet with former president Megawati Soekarnoputri at Hotel Shangrila and visit the People's Consultative Assembly and the House of Representatives on Tuesday evening, before departing for Bali.
Indian vice president Ansari would witness the signing of a memorandum of understanding on the establishment of Academic Chair of Ayurveda by Indian ambassador Gurjit Singh and Udayana University rector Prof Dr. Ketut Suastika on Tuesday.
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