Indonesian President accorded ceremonial welcome at Rashtrapati Bhavan

New Delhi, Jan 25 (ANI): Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, who is on a three day visit to India, was on Tuesday accorded a ceremonial welcome at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi.

President Pratibha Patil and Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh ere present on the occasion along with other dignitaries

Yodhoyono, who will be the chief guest at this year's Republic Day celebrations, said he felt honoured by the warm gesture.

"It is a great opportunity for me to further enhance and deepen our bilateral friendship and co-operation. I am hoping that this visit will also find new opportunities in our bilateral co-operations, including economic co-operations and also people to people contact," said Yudhoyono.

Besides an extradition treaty, the two countries are expected to sign several memoranda of understanding and business deals in sectors such as infrastructure, manufacturing and services worth almost 15 billion dollars.

Indonesia is a strategically an important country and a vital part of India's 'Look East' policy as both countries share a maritime boundary.

Indonesia is India's second largest trading partner in the ASEAN region.

Annual bilateral trade between India and Indonesia is estimated to be worth 11.8 billion dollars. (ANI)