Indonesia, Pakistan sign pacts in trade, food security, health to boost ties

​​​​​​​By Islamuddin Sajid

ISLAMABAD (AA) - Pakistan and Indonesia signed several memoranda of understanding (MoUs) and agreements Tuesday to strengthen cooperation in trade, food security, health, agriculture, education, and science and technology.

A signing ceremony took place in Islamabad during Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto’s visit to Pakistan.

“Pakistan and Indonesia are bound by deep-rooted friendship and shared values. Today’s agreements will help expand our bilateral trade, diversify economic cooperation, and strengthen ties in food security, agriculture, and technology,” Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said at a news conference with the Indonesian president following the ceremony.

He added that the agreements would open “new avenues of long-term cooperation” and help unlock the true potential of bilateral trade.

Prabowo arrived Monday on his first visit since assuming office last year. His predecessor, Joko Widodo, was the last Indonesian leader to visit Pakistan in 2018.

The visit also marks the 75th anniversary of relations between the two most populous Muslim-majority nations.

Sharif said trade between the two countries stands at $4.5 billion, with 90% representing imports from Indonesia. He said both sides discussed measures to correct and balance the trade structure.

Prabowo said he has already instructed his ministers to take practical steps to rebalance the trade.

He also thanked Pakistan for sending doctors and medical experts to Indonesia.

“Your assistance will be very strategic and critical for us. We have a great need for doctors and dentists as we begin a massive education program in the health sector,” he said.

The two leaders also discussed the situation in Palestine, and Sharif praised Prabowo’s “unwavering stand” on the Gaza Strip.

Both leaders reaffirmed strong support for a two-state solution and pledged continued cooperation at international forums.

Meanwhile, Pakistan army chief and Chief of Defense Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir met Prabowo and discussed matters of mutual interest, regional security and defense cooperation.

Both sides reaffirmed their resolve to strengthen existing ties between the armed forces, according to a statement from the military.