Indo-Pacific on Modi’s agenda in Indonesia: Jakarta Post

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Indonesia, which started on Tuesday, May 29, will see the Indo-Pacific as a top agenda, the archipelago's Jakarta Post said on Tuesday.

Modi set his foot on Indonesia for the first time as the prime minister and will meet the country's president, Joko Widodo, on Wednesday, May 30.

On Monday, May 28, Indian Ambassador to Indonesia Pradeep Kumar Rawat said New Delhi shared similar views with Jakarta on the concept of Indo-Pacific, the Jakarta Post said.

It also cited that Widodo, during his visit to India earlier this year for the Asean-India Commemorative Summit, also had the concept of Indo-Pacific on his agenda.

The Indonesian leadership has been promoting Jakarta's own concept of Indo-Pacific cooperation which is based on dialogue, cooperation and friendship and upholding international law.

"The Indo-Pacific concept is a geopolitical framework that recognizes the economic power shift to Asia. Indo-Pacific refers to countries in the Indian and Pacific oceans. Global communities have several concepts regarding the Indo-Pacific framework, including the United States. Indonesia's concept is different due to, among others, an emphasis on ASEAN unity," the Jakarta Post said.

It said apart from the Indo-Pacific, Modi and Widodo will also speak over issues that concern both the states in a fast developing global situation.

"There are issues relating to maritime and economic development. The economic development of the world is still evolving. That will certainly be part of the dialogue," the post quoted Rawat as saying.

The envoy also said that the two leaders would speak over cooperation in tourism to improve people-to-people contacts.

Modi will also engage with the business and Indian communities in Jakarta during his stay in Indonesia till Thursday, May 31.

After Indonesia, Modi will visit Malaysia and Singapore as part of his three-nation visit concluding in June 2.