G20 Summit: Indonesia, India Discuss Cooperation on Health, Economic Recovery

President Jokowi holds a bilateral meeting with PM of India Narendra Modi, on the sidelines of the G20 Summit, in Rome, Italy, Sunday (31/10). (Photo by: Presidential Secretariat/Laily Rachev)

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo discussed cooperation on health sector and economic recovery measures with the Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi in a bilateral meeting held on the sidelines of the G20 Summit, Sunday (31/10).

In the meeting, President Jokowi extended his gratitude for the declining trend in COVID-19 cases in India and Indonesia. According to him, the improving situation is attributed to cooperation between both countries in the handling of COVID-19.

“It is Indonesia’s commitment to enhance strategic and comprehensive partnership with India,” he said.

The Head of State expressed hope that Indonesia and its counterpart can increase cooperation on pharmaceutical industry by together manufacturing pharmaceutical raw materials and developing the capacity of pharmaceutical manufacturers in both countries.

“In addition, we also need to promote cooperation for vaccine development,” he stated adding that both leaders have agreed to follow up the cooperation at technical level.

The meeting also discussed measures to speed up economic recovery. President Jokowi invited PM Modi to take measures to encourage safe economic activities amid improving COVID-19 situation. The measures proposed by the President are vaccinated travel lane (VTL) and recognition of vaccine certificates issued by each country.

The President also called for the enhancement of post-pandemic cooperation on trade and investment. For that reason, he expected both countries can immediately start the negotiation of Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA).

“The PTA is really important for trade diversification and growth to meet the trade value target of US$50 billion in 2025. I also expect two-way investment can be further stimulated,” he firmly said.

In the meeting, the President also plauded India’s role in supporting Indonesia’s G20 Presidency in 2022 adopting a theme ‘Recover Together, Recover Stronger’.

Indonesia is committed to voice the interests of G20 developing countries during its presidency. President Jokowi expressed hope that economic recovery will not only take place in developed countries but also in developing countries.

In this regard, PM Modi affirmed his support for Indonesia’s presidency and his commitment to contribute to make it successful. For the record, India is set to assume the G20 presidency in 2023. (PRESIDENTIAL SECRETARIAT/UN) (RAS/MMB)