ISLAMABAD:
Indonesia’s Defence Minister Lt Gen (retired) Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin expressed his country’s desire to boost defence ties and explore possible collaboration in defence production as he met the country’s top civil and military leadership
Gen Sjamsoeddin called on PM Shehbaz at the PM Office today, where he reiterated Indonesia’s desire to “further strengthen defence ties with Pakistan and to explore possible areas for cooperation, especially in defence production”, according to a statement from government-run PID.
The Indonesian minister conveyed the best wishes of President Prabowo Subianto for the prime minister and people of Pakistan, the press release added.
Meanwhile, PM Shehbaz “reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to explore and expand collaboration with Indonesia in joint ventures of investment in mutually beneficial projects”, the statement said.
The prime minister also reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to enhance bilateral cooperation with Indonesia in all avenues, including economic, strategic and trade sectors, along with defence and defence production.
He highlighted that Pakistan and Indonesia enjoyed a “longstanding friendship rooted in shared cultural, religious and historical bonds, supporting each other at international forums”.
Both sides stressed the importance of “enhancing multifaceted bilateral cooperation”, according to the PID.
“The meeting underscored the deep-rooted historical, brotherly and friendly bilateral relations between Pakistan and Indonesia,” the statement noted.
Recalling his meeting last year with Indonesia’s President Prabowo Subianto on the sidelines of Developing-8 Summit in Cairo, PM Shehbaz conveyed his best wishes for the Indonesian president.
The prime minister also reviewed ongoing initiatives under the Pakistan-Indonesia Defence Cooperation Agreement and agreed to “accelerate the implementation of key areas of mutual interest”, the PID added.
Meeting with COAS
Indonesian Defence Minister Lieutenant General (Retd) Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin met with Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Asim Munir at the General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi on Tuesday to discuss strengthening military ties, the military’s media wing reported.
According to a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the Indonesian defence minister, who is leading a delegation of senior representatives from various military and intelligence agencies, held wide-ranging talks with Pakistan’s top military leadership.
Both sides exchanged views on regional security, defence cooperation, and avenues to enhance bilateral military collaboration. The meeting underscored the longstanding friendship between the two nations, with particular emphasis on mutual cooperation to ensure peace and stability in the region.
Field Marshal Munir highlighted the importance of mutual cooperation in maintaining peace and stability in the region. The Indonesian minister, in turn, appreciated the professional achievements of the Pakistan Army, particularly its role in the fight against terrorism.
