Meet PM Modi, President Jokowi Wants to Enhance Economic Cooperation

President Jokowi holds a bilateral meeting with Indian PM Narendra Modi in Taj Diplomatic Hotel, Enclave, New Delhi, India, Thursday, (25/1). (Photo: BPMI)

In the sidelines of ASEAN-India Summit, President Joko ‘Jokowi’ Widodo held a bilateral meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Taj Diplomatic Hotel, New Delhi, India, on Thursday (25/1).

In the meeting, President Jokowi conveyed the importance of enhancing economic cooperation because bilateral trade between the two countries was started to develop last year but still beyond its real potential.

“Therefore, the efforts to boost the trade must be continuously undertaken including to encounter the obstacles,” the President said.

Another point to arise by President Jokowi was a highly-increased import duty tariff of vegetable oil to India.

Palm oil tariff increases will have an effect to Indonesia’s  palm oil exports. “If Indonesia’s palm oil export decreases, I am sure it will affect India’s growing market needs,” the President said.

Accordingly, President Jokowi really hopes that Indian Government could reconsidered its tariff policy on the vegetable oil “My suggestion, this concept is developed based on transparency, inclusiveness, cooperation spirit,” President Jokowi uttered.

As an active member of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), President Jokowi believes PM Modi would agree to strengthen IORA, “So that the Indian Ocean Rim would become a stable and prosperous region,” President Jokowi said.

President Jokowi also appreciated India’s support for ASEAN-led Mechanism including East Asia Summit (EAS). “Indonesia has suggested to begin maritime cooperation in EAS which is also supported by India,” President Jokowi said.

For future plan, maritime cooperation would be one of cooperation priority between the two countries.

Meanwhile, at the beginning of the meeting, President Jokowi expressed that bilateral relationship between Indonesia-India become stronger, particularly after President Jokowi met PM Modi on December 2016 in India. “To sustain the momentum of this strong cooperation, I invite Your Excellency to pay a visit to Indonesia this year.” President Jokowi said.

Later on in Indonesia, President Jokowi will ask PM Modi to discuss bilateral cooperation in detail.

The President was accompanied by Coordinating Minister for the Economy Darmin Nasution, Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi, Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung, Presidential Special Staff Coordinator Teten Masduki, and Indonesian Ambassador to India Sidharto Suryopuro. (BPMI/EN) (EPI/YM/Naster)