Thaindian News

New Delhi, Jan 25 (ANI): In a endeavor to develop a ‘Vision Statement 2025′ for the Indonesia-India Strategic Partnership, Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono announced the establishment of an Eminent Persons’ Group (EPG) here on Tuesday.

In a statement issued here, both leaders said that the deliberations of the Eminent Persons’ Group would guide the future progress and prepare a blueprint of Indonesia-India relations over the next 15 years.

Noting that the bilateral trade volume between Indonesia and India had increased nearly threefold since the establishment of the strategic partnership between the two countries in 2005, the two leaders agreed to set the new target for bilateral trade volume of 25 billion dollars by 2015

In order to strengthen and reinforce consular cooperation and traditional friendly relations between both countries, Dr. Singh announced the establishment of a Consulate General of India in the Province of Bali which was warmly welcomed by the President of Indonesia.

The establishment of the Consulate will reinforce the strong cultural links between Indonesia and India.

Noting the mutual interest of both countries in the development of energy resources and the introduction of investment associated with such resources along with new technologies, the two leaders announced the establishment of an Energy Forum co-chaired by the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources of Indonesia and the Minister of Coal of India, supported by expert forums in the respective countries to accelerate the implementation of programs of mutual interest.

With a view to enhancing people-to-people links, both leaders agreed to enhance and strengthen cooperation in the cultural sector as means to promote extensive people-to-people contacts by committing to implement cultural exchange programme for 2011-2014.

The two leaders also noticed the importance of encouraging outward investment from both countries.

In this regard, Indonesia stressed India as a potential partner because its investment realization in Indonesia has steadily increased for the last twenty years.

Recalling the long history of cultural and historical links between the two countries, they stressed the importance of cultural exchanges in building strong people-to-people ties which would reinforce ties in all areas.

They agreed on a number of new initiatives including the exchange of cultural festivals. (ANI)