India-Indonesia ink nearly dozen pacts, including extradition

New Delhi, Jan 25 (PTI) Extradition treaty was among adozen agreements in key areas of defence, energy andintelligence sharing which were inked today between India andIndonesia as both sides sought to give fillip to strategic andeconomic ties between the two countries.

Apart from important bilateral issues, a host of regionaland international matters, including global terrorism werediscussed during the meeting between Prime Minister ManmohanSingh and Indonesian President Susilo Bamgbang Yudhoyono.

"The two leaders unequivocally condemned terrorism in allits forms and manifestations and stressed that there could beno justification whatsoever for any act of terrorism," a jointstatement said after the meeting.

Recognising the common threats to national security fromtransnational crimes, including international terrorism, thetwo leaders resolved to significantly enhance bilateralcooperation in combating terrorism, it said.

"The two leaders resolved to commit their countries inimproving sharing of intelligence, the development of moreeffective counter terrorism policies, enhance liaison betweenlaw enforcement agencies, provide assistance in the areas ofborder and immigration control to stem the flow of terroristrelated material, money and people and specific measuresagainst transnational crimes, including internationalterrorism through the already existing mechanism betweenIndonesia and India," it said.

Apart from this, the two sides focused on forging closerties in energy, defence and investment and inked Mutual LegalAssistance Treaty in Criminal Matters and MoUs for cooperationin Oil and Gas sector, in the field of Micro, Small and MediumEnterprises and Air Services Agreement.

Other areas of MoUs included Science and Technology,Press (media), urea (fertilizer) manufacturing, establishmentof Biennial Trade Minister'' Forum, education and Marine andfisheries cooperation.

Yudhoyono, who is also the chief guest at tomorrow''sRepublic Day Parade, also attended a business Summit after thetalks with the Prime Minister during which deals worth billionof US dollars.

With a view to developing a ''Vision Statement 2025'' forthe Indonesia-India Strategic Partnership, the two leadersannounced the establishment of an Eminent Persons'' Group(EPG), deliberations of which would guide the future progressand prepare a blue-print of Indonesia-India relations over thenext 15 years, the statement said.

Expressing satisfaction at the growing trade andinvestment ties between the two countries, they noted that thebilateral trade volume had increased nearly threefold sincethe establishment of the Strategic Partnership between the twocountries in 2005, and agreed to set the new target forbilateral trade volume of USD 25 billion by 2015.