Indonesia’s president receives Nishan-e-Pakistan as both nations deepen ties

ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari on Tuesday night conferred the Nishan-e-Pakistan, the country’s highest civil honour, on Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto during a special ceremony at Aiwan-e-Saddar.

The event, attended by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, Senate Chairman Yousuf Raza Gilani, National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq, Chief of Defence Forces and Army Chief Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, and other senior officials, marked the highlight of President Subianto’s two-day visit to Pakistan from December 8 to 9.

The Indonesian leader, visiting at the invitation of PM Shehbaz, met the country’s political and military leadership and held delegation-level discussions with the prime minister. According to a joint statement from the Foreign Office, the trip carried added importance as both nations celebrate 75 years of diplomatic ties this year.

Officials noted that relations between Pakistan and Indonesia are rooted in shared history predating the independence of both nations. The two sides reaffirmed their intention to build on this foundation by expanding cooperation across political, economic, defence, cultural, scientific and health sectors. Both countries also committed to more frequent high-level exchanges and stronger institutional linkages.

Trade and economic cooperation

The two sides reiterated their resolve to deepen economic ties, pointing out that although bilateral trade has more than doubled since 2014 and now exceeds $4 billion, large areas of potential remain unexplored. They agreed to expedite a meeting of the Joint Negotiations Committee to upgrade the current preferential trade agreement into a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement by 2027, including broader tariff concessions and the removal of non-tariff barriers.

Bilateral discussions also explored collaboration in services such as IT, cybersecurity and fintech, alongside traditional trade in agricultural and industrial products. Both countries emphasised expanding investment, particularly in agriculture, mining, tourism, infrastructure, energy and the digital economy, through cooperation between Pakistan’s Special Investment Facilitation Council and Indonesia’s sovereign wealth fund.

Defence and security

Reiterating the importance of defence cooperation, the two governments agreed to enhance military-to-military engagement, expand defence industrial collaboration, strengthen training exchanges and explore further opportunities in maritime and aviation sectors.

They also pledged closer coordination on shared security challenges, including counterterrorism, violent extremism, and curbing narcotics trafficking, in line with international conventions.

Health, climate and cultural cooperation

Pakistan and Indonesia agreed to broaden collaboration in health services, digital health, vaccine production, disease prevention and maternal and child health. Both sides also committed to working together on climate resilience, disaster management and tourism promotion.

Pakistan briefed the visiting delegation on developments in Indian-occupied Jammu and Kashmir.

Palestine crisis

Expressing deep concern over the humanitarian catastrophe in Palestine, both leaders reiterated support for a two-state solution in accordance with UN resolutions and welcomed the Gaza Peace Plan.

A number of agreements and MoUs were signed during the visit to cement cooperation in various fields. President Subianto thanked Prime Minister Shehbaz and the Pakistani people for their warm reception.