The Vice President of India, M. Hamid Ansari has said that India and Indonesia are committed to increase bilateral trade and mutual investments as well as expanding cooperation in defence and counter-terrorism through intensification of existing mechanisms. He was addressing a Joint Press Conference with the Vice President of Indonesia, Mr. Jusuf Kalla, in Jakarta, Indonesia today. The Vice President of India said that India and Indonesia shared several global and regional issues including climate change, maritime security and freedom of seas. The Vice President thanked the Indonesian government for their support in organizing ‘Sahabat India - The Festival of India in Indonesia’ earlier this year. He said that Indonesia being the largest member of ASEAN, India wants its support to engage with ASEAN member States as part of India’s Act East policy.
Answering a question from the media about collaboration between India and Indonesia in the field of non-conventional energy, the Vice President said that the two countries were keen to expand cooperation in the energy sector, including non-conventional energy sector and further details would be discussed during the Indonesian Energy minister’s forthcoming visit to India. Replying to another question, the Vice President said that on the matter of extradition, the concerned agencies of the two countries were working together and that there was full cooperation from the Indonesian side. Earlier India and Indonesia signed a Memorandums of Understanding on New and Renewable Energy sector and Cultural Exchange in the presence of two Vice Presidents.