President Prabowo, PM Modi Talk on Cooperation on Health, Trade

President Prabowo Subianto holds a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India, Monday (18/11), on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by: BPMI of Presidential Secretariat/Andi)

President Prabowo Subianto held a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India, Monday (18/11), on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

The meeting discussed on strategic cooperation opportunities in health, education, and trade as well as strengthened bilateral relations between the two countries.

In his remarks, President Prabowo Subianto expressed gratitude for India’s gesture of respect by sending Special Envoy Pabitra Margherita to attend his presidential inauguration ceremony a few weeks ago.

“Indonesia and India have long-standing and excellent relations. We deeply value this relationship and are committed to enhancing it across various sectors,” said the President.

He highlighted potential collaboration in health and education, addressing Indonesia’s pressing need for medical professionals due to a shortage of 160,000 doctors.

“We hope to strengthen cooperation with India, particularly through the deployment of professors and specialist doctors to teach in our universities,” President Prabowo Subianto said.

He also welcomed the interest of Indian companies in health sector, including the pharmaceutical industry and the establishment of foreign hospitals branches in the country. He emphasized the importance of increasing the number of Indonesian students studying in India and fostering closer educational collaboration.

During the meeting, the President also underscored the importance of trade cooperation, particularly on rice imports from India. “We hope to finalize the agreement on rice imports from India,” he said. (BPMI of Presidential Secretariat/ABD) (EST/MUR)