India-ASEAN partnership can become guarantee of peace beyond Indo-Pacific region: PM Modi in Indonesia

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said that the India-ASEAN partnership is an important power which can become a guarantee of peace not only in Indo-Pacific region but beyond it.

He was speaking during in a joint media interaction with Indonesian President Joko Widodo in Jakarta. 

"India stands resolutely with Indonesia in the fight against terror, we condemn the recent terror attacks in Indonesia in which many innocent people lost their lives," Modi said after talks with Widodo at Merdeka Palace in Jakarta.

"or the development of Indo-Pacific region we (India - Indonesia) have agreed to the same shared vision. India's Act East Policy and the vision of SAGAR (Security and Growth for all in the Region) matches President Jidodo's Maritime Fulcrum Policy," he added. 

Earlier, delegation level talks were held bwteen Modi and Widodo.

Modi arrived in Jakarta on Tuesday on the first leg of his three-nation tour to East Asia to cement the political, economic and strategic interest of the two friendly maritime neighbours. The Prime Minister will also visit to Malaysia and Singapore.

Modi today began his Indonesia visit by paying homage to martyrs of Indonesian independence struggle as he laid a wreath at the iconic Kalibata National Heroes' Cemetery. Kalibata Heroes' Cemetery in South Jakarta is a military cemetery in Indonesia. It was built in 1953 and opened in November 1954 when the first burial took place.

Prime Minister Modi and President Widodo will later inaugurate the kite exhibition at the National Monument and visit the Arjuna's Chariot. After this, the two leaders will pay a visit to Istiqlal Mosque.

Prime Minister Modi will then address an Indian community event at the Jakarta Convention Centre.

Further, Prime Minister Modi and President Widodo will attend the India-Indonesia CEO Forum.

Finally, a banquet will be hosted by the Indonesian President in honour of Prime Minister Modi, before the latter leaves for Malaysia and Singapore respectively.

Both India and Indonesia have warm and cordial bilateral relations. The two countries also share close cultural ties as well.

India and Indonesia are among the largest democracies in the world. Both are member states of the G-20, the E7 (countries), the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), and the United Nations (UN) respectively.

Bilateral trade between India and Indonesia was worth nearly USD 15 billion between January and October 2017, with Indonesia's surplus at USD 8.3 billion, according to Jakarta Globe. 

(With ANI inputs)