Indonesian military welcomes maritime cooperation with India

Jakarta, March 21 (ANTARA) - Commander of the Indonesian Military (TNI) General Andika Perkasa lauded the planned cooperation on maritime affairs between Indonesia and India as a strategic move that will benefit both countries. "Cooperation on maritime affairs with India is a strategic measure in the exchange of information on Indonesia and India's maritime territory," Perkasa, as observed from a video broadcasted on YouTube, stated here on Monday. The TNI chief earlier received the Indian Defence Attache for Indonesia, Captain Amitabh Saxena. He noted that according to Indonesia's regulation and authority, the military will first coordinate with the Maritime Security Agency (Bakamla), the Ministry of Transportation, and relevant institutions to follow up on the cooperation plan. Perkasa also promised to assist Saxena in coordinating with relevant ministries and agencies to follow up on the plan. He also lauded another form of cooperation with India in the education sector, with the scholarship programme sponsored by the Indian government to be the form of cooperation. Meanwhile, Saxena noted that the White Shipping Information Exchange will be one of the several planned cooperation schemes between Indonesia and India. The White Shipping Information Exchange agreement will cover the exchange of information on Indian ships in Indonesia and vice versa, he remarked. Earlier, Coordinating Minister of Political, Legal, and Security Affairs Mahfud MD had highlighted the importance of a strategic and comprehensive partnership between Indonesia and India. The coordinating minister had met India's National Security Advisor Ajit Doval during the second India-Indonesia Security Dialogue (IISD) in Jakarta on Thursday (Mar 17). "Our countries are convinced that the IISD will enhance our cooperation to address common challenges and bolster our opportunities in enhancing cooperation in the political and security aspects," Mahfud remarked.