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KARACHI – Indonesian Ambassador to Pakistan Adam Mulawarman Tugio has said that Indonesia and Pakistan need to transform its historic links to trade and travel.
He was speaking at a webinar on ‘Indonesia, Pakistan – Historic Relations and Future Aspirations,’ which was organised by Karachi Council on Foreign Relations.
During his address, he narrated insight of the history and future aspiration between the two countries. He said Indonesia-Pakistan built the historic foundation of relations since the beginning of independence of both the countries, that diplomatic relations were established in 1950. Indonesia and Pakistan are the largest Muslim countries in the world in terms of population.
He shared the vivid picture of mechanism of strengthening the bilateral co-operation and said connectivity was the key to establish healthy geo-economic and socio-cultural relationship and through connectivity relationships leading to mutual prosperity with Indonesia and beyond could be developed. After signing the Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) in 2013 trade had increased up to 8 percent, which has potential to increase further. He continued his discourse by providing brief analysis on trade between Indonesia and Pakistan from last six years. The total of trade that includes Indonesia’s export to Pakistan and Indonesia’s imports from Pakistan in 2015 was $2165075; which has gradually increased to $2581457 in 2020. Before him, the former Pakistan ambassador to Indonesia Mian Sanaullah, in his speaech gave an overview to the history and struggle of both countries and discussed the current situation of trade and economic growth between both the countries, especially after Covid. He said that Indonesia and Pakistan shared the similar history of independence and war against terrorism and now Indonesia’s model of tolerance is on the right path of recovery and on the path of growth after terrorism. He further said that for healthy bilateral relationship between both countries’ limitations should be minimized.
KCFR’s Co-Chairman Admiral Khalid Mir chaired the webinar and in his concluding remarks appreciated the candid and forthright remarks and response in Indonesian envoy’s expose; he also drew his attention to Pakistan’s shipbuilding and fighter aircraft production ability from which a few other countries have benefitted.