NEW DELHI, Nov 27 (KUNA) -- India and Indonesia agreed on Thursday to cement their defense and security cooperation during bilateral talks in the Indian capital.
Defense Minister Rajnath Singh and his Indonesian counterpart Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin, who co-chaired the talks, reaffirmed the long-standing strategic partnership and deepening bilateral defense cooperation between the two countries, according to an Indian defense ministry statement.
They highlighted the progress in joint exercises across land, maritime and air forces, citing officer exchanges, joint training programs and visits to defense institutions as effort aiming to promote interoperability and knowledge sharing, it said.
The Indonesian defense minister spoke of Indian experience in submarine development and supply-chain management, while the talks also covered collaboration in defense medicine and pharmaceuticals, added the statement. The two ministers collectively reaffirmed commitment to a just and lasting peace in Palestine, and acknowledged opportunities for cooperation in humanitarian assistance and reconstruction efforts there, it said.
India and Indonesia reiterated the importance of maintaining a "free and prosperous" Indo-Pacific region, guided by international law and respect for sovereignty, while Jakarta acknowledged New Delhi as an "key partner" in promoting peace and cooperation in the region, it said. (end) atk.nam