Pakistan, Indonesia sign wide-ranging agreements to bolster cooperation
Pakistan and Indonesia have signed a series of wide-ranging agreements aimed at strengthening collaboration across multiple sectors, during a formal ceremony held in Islamabad and attended by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto. The signing of several memoranda of understanding marked a key step in expanding cooperation in trade, culture, health, education, vocational training and other areas that both countries consider vital for future development.
Speaking at a joint press stakeout after the ceremony, Prime Minister Shehbaz said that Pakistan was committed to working closely with Indonesia to achieve the targets set across these diverse fields. Referring to the existing bilateral trade volume of 4.5 billion dollars, the prime minister noted that both sides discussed measures to balance trade, particularly by enhancing Pakistan’s exports of agricultural products and IT services. He further announced that Pakistan would send doctors, dentists and other medical experts to Indonesia to help support its healthcare sector, describing the initiative as another important step in strengthening people-to-people ties.
Prime Minister Shehbaz said the relationship between Pakistan and Indonesia spans more than seventy-five years, and President Subianto’s visit coincides with the anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. He expressed Pakistan’s desire to celebrate this milestone in a meaningful way, adding that Indonesia’s strong support during the 1965 war will always remain an important chapter in the shared history of both nations. The prime minister voiced confidence that the Indonesian president’s visit would elevate bilateral ties to new heights and reaffirmed their shared commitment to peace and progress in the region.
President Subianto received a warm welcome upon his arrival at the Prime Minister’s House, where he was presented with a guard of honour by a contingent representing all three branches of Pakistan’s armed forces. The national anthems of both countries were played as the two leaders stood on the saluting dais, and the Indonesian president also planted a commemorative sapling in the lawn of the PM House. Delegations from both sides were introduced to one another before Prime Minister Shehbaz and President Subianto held a one-on-one meeting, followed by discussions at the delegation level.
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This visit marks President Subianto’s first trip to Pakistan since assuming office, and the last high-level presidential visit from Indonesia came in 2018 when then-President Joko Widodo travelled to Islamabad. Officials from both countries say the new agreements will pave the way for deeper economic integration, cultural exchange and long-term strategic cooperation between the two Muslim-majority nations.
