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(OCTOBER 15-21)
Reports noted that India and Indonesia have decided to significantly enhance their defence cooperation during a recent visit of the Indian defence minister Shri AK Antony to Indonesia. Shri Antony declared his meeting with his Indonesian counterpart Purnomo Yusgiantoro as a ‘turning point’ and an ‘excellent beginning’. This was the first Ministerial level biennial defence dialogue between the two countries. The two sides have exchanged views on a whole range of issues relating to regional and global security, bilateral exercises involving Services, training, co-production of defence equipment and ammunitions and visits at high levels. Terrorism and power rivalries in the Indian Ocean Region figured in prominently in the defence minister’s speech. The defence dialogue mechanism at the highest level was agreed upon during the visit of Indonesian President SusiloBambangYudhoyono to India in January last year.
Shri Antony was assisted by a high-level delegation including the Defence Secretary Shri Shashikant Sharma, Indian Ambassador to Indonesia, Shri Gurjit Singh, CISC Vice Admiral SPS Cheema, C-in-C Andaman & Nicobar Command Lt Gen NC Marwah and DG Ordnance Factory Board Shri SK Beri. 1
In another development, according to reports, addressing the biannual Naval Commanders' Conference, India’s Defence Minister Shri AK Antony underlined the key role of Indian Navy in India’s engagements with countries of Indian Ocean Region. He stated, “Our Government is pursuing a string of proactive engagements with countries in the Indian Ocean Region to ensure peace and stability in the region, which is also related to our economic and wider security interests”. Shri Antony took this opportunity to assure India’s maritime neighbors of Indian Navy’s full support. Highlighting increased engagements of Indian navy, Shri Antony noted, “Indian Navy’s overseas deployment in the South China Sea, East China Sea, the Western Pacific Ocean, Red Sea and the Meditarrean Sea carrying out exercises with the navies of these regions not only shows our capabilities but will also go a long way in reassuring the Indian diaspora in these countries.” 2
- 1. “India and Indonesia Agree to Significantly Step up Defence Cooperation,” Press Information Bureau, October, 16, 2012, at http://pib.nic.in/newsite/erelease.aspx?relid=88424
- 2. “Antony Envisages a Proactive Role for Navy in the Indian Ocean Region,” Press Information Bureau, October, 18, 2012, at http://pib.nic.in/newsite/erelease.aspx?relid=88491