Foreign Minister Retno's Visit To India To Strengthen Bilateral Cooperation Between The Two Countries

Screenshot of Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi delivering an online press statement regarding her working visit in New Delhi, India (photo: doc. Antara)

JAKARTA – During her visit to India, Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi met with Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar to discuss various bilateral cooperation in New Delhi, Friday, June 17.

As one of Indonesia's most important partners, the value of bilateral trade between the two countries will reach 21 billion dollars (around Rp. 311.8 trillion) in 2021.

"In the trade sector, we welcome a 33 percent increase in trade in 2021. To further increase trade, Indonesia has proposed a preferential trade agreement. The ToR has been submitted to India," said Retno when delivering a media briefing via video regarding the Indonesia-India Joint Commission Meeting which took place in New Delhi, Friday.

Meanwhile, in the investment sector, Indonesia recorded an investment increase of 187 percent in 2021, reaching 107.2 million US dollars (around Rp. 1.6 trillion) from 1,298 projects. The two foreign ministers also discussed strengthening cooperation in the fields of energy, food security, and health.

“In the field of food security, we share the same concerns about disruption of the food supply chain that is faced by almost all countries in the world today. Therefore, we are committed to increasing cooperation, including in the fields of technology and investment," said Retno, as quoted by Antara.

Currently India is one of the largest importers of Indonesian palm oil and Indonesia also imports wheat from India.

Meanwhile, in the security sector, Indonesia and India discussed the importance of enhancing maritime cooperation and cyber security.

At this year's Indonesia-India Joint Commission Meeting, three agreement documents were signed and exchanged, namely the Visa Exemption Agreement for Diplomatic and Service Passport Holders, a Memorandum of Understanding between the Indonesian National Narcotics Agency and the Indian Narcotics Control Bureau, which was signed circularly on 17 June 2022.

Finally, the Memorandum of Understanding between the Plantation Polytechnic of LPP Yogyakarta and the National Sugar Institute of India, which was also circularly signed on June 14.