REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Indonesia and India have agreed to a cultural exchange program spread over the 2015-2018 period, aimed at formulating rules to establish bilateral cooperation in the cultural field.
"We celebrate our cultural similarities and today signed an MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) regarding cooperation in the cultural field," Indian Vice President Mohammad Hamid Ansari said while visiting the Vice Presidential Palace here on Monday.
The MoU will cover cooperation between the two countries in cultural exchanges and cultural heritage management, he said.
Indian Ambassador to Indonesia Gurjit Singh and Director General of Culture at the Education and Culture Ministry Kacung Marijan signed the MoU that defines the terms of reference to establish cooperation in the fields of language, literature, museum, drama and visual arts.
The MoU also covers cooperation in conducting joint research, developing human resources, conserving cultural heritage and exchanging information in the cultural field.
Ansari said Indonesia is India's important partner in Southeast Asia.
"Indonesia is the largest ASEAN country and India expects Indonesia's support to enhance cooperation between India and ASEAN member states as part of our Act East policy," he said.
Ansari arrived in Jakarta on Sunday. He visited Istiqlal Mosque, the largest mosque in Southeast Asia, later in the day.
On Monday, he met with Vice President Jusuf Kalla and President Joko Widodo. He is also scheduled to meet with former president Megawati Soekarnoputri at Shangrila Hotel in Jakarta.
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