Islamabad (TDI): Pakistan and Indonesia moved to expand their longstanding partnership on Tuesday by signing seven Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) and agreements in Islamabad, covering cooperation in higher education, health, small and medium enterprise development, narcotics control, national archives, Halal certification, and Indonesia’s state scholarship program.
The agreements were formalised during Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto’s official visit to Pakistan, where he met Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for wide-ranging talks aimed at boosting bilateral engagement.
Following the meeting, Prime Minister Shehbaz told reporters that both sides had agreed to push their relationship into “new areas of collaboration,” emphasizing trade, culture, education, health, and vocational training as priority sectors.
He noted that Pakistan’s annual trade volume with Indonesia currently stands at $4.5 billion, most of which is driven by Indonesian exports. PM Shehbaz said both leaders had agreed to work on “practical steps” to narrow the trade imbalance, including enhancing Pakistan’s agricultural and IT exports.
The prime minister added that Pakistan plans to send doctors, dentists and other medical professionals to Indonesia under a new arrangement designed to help the country meet its healthcare needs.
Marking 75 years of diplomatic ties between the two nations this year, PM Shehbaz highlighted the historic bond linking Pakistan and Indonesia. He recalled Indonesia’s firm support for Pakistan during the 1965 war, saying that such solidarity “will remain etched in our national memory.”
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President Subianto, speaking alongside the prime minister, said both governments were committed to accelerating efforts to rebalance trade and enhance cooperation in agriculture, health, education and other areas of shared interest. He thanked Pakistan for agreeing to send healthcare specialists to Indonesia.
He also noted that the two countries were closely aligned in their foreign policy positions, particularly on the question of Palestine. Both nations, he said, would continue advocating for a two-state solution and push for peace in the region.
Read More: Pakistan, Indonesia Set to Deepen Ties as President Prabowo Lands in Islamabad
Earlier in the day, President Subianto received a ceremonial welcome at the Prime Minister’s House, where he was presented a guard of honour and greeted by Prime Minister Shehbaz. The Indonesian leader also planted a commemorative tree at the residence and met federal ministers after inspecting the guard of honour.
Subianto arrived in Islamabad on Monday to a red-carpet reception at Nur Khan Airbase, where President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz personally received him. A high-level Indonesian delegation, including senior ministers and officials, accompanied him.
