Most of such countries have therefore indirectly sought US protection
to be able to stand upto China’s military and Washington has already
decided to augment its Pacific fleet in the coming years to counter
this threat.
But with fast growing economies,the challenge before India and Indonesia
is not to seek strategic autonomy from major powers but to contribute
to the managaement of the increasingly global and regional
situation at their own level.
As redistribution of power in Asia is taking place rapidly a series of
transnational challenges have arisen for India and Indonesia as
well.Both the countries have transcended the old North-South divide and
can contribute vigorously to rebalance in the world economy.Indonesia
that has survived two dictatorships and has together with India,
decided to support democratic transition in other countries.
These two countries have therefore a special role to play in shaping
Asian political and security institutions. The two countries therefore
need to intensify their political cooperation to ensure that Asian
economic prospects are not endangered by renewed political conflicts.
As great power tensions increasingly express themselves in Asian
waters,both these countries need to step up their naval and maritime
cooperation in real terms and give practical shape to many agreements
they have already signed.India is seeking to consolidate its role as
security provider in the Indian Ocean and raise its profile in the
Western Pacific.It has therefore forged strategic cooperation with
several countries including Japan, Vietnam and South Korea.
India and Indonesia also share marked similarities cultural,multi
ethnic and pluristic societies home to large muslim populations.
Besides the two countries are separated by just 90 nautical miles and
are located at the entry point to Malacca strait which is crucial to
international shipping and additionally has access to northern Bay of
Bengal and to pacific Ocean. Thus the importance of their strategic
cooperation needs no over emphasis. Noting the immense convergence of
mutual objectives,strategic thinkers in Indonesia feel inclined to
look beyond ASEAN and stress on a regional security architecture in
which major nations of Asia-Pacific region and beyond are also
represented so that threats to security, economic and political
concerns of the two countries are adequately neutralized.
The new strategic partnership envisages close cooperation in capacity
building technical assistance and information sharing to stand as a
formidable safeguard against various threats. This will also ensure
that the region is not dominated by any single country.
The broad contours of such cooperation will include maritime
security,anti piracy measures and meaningful checking of drug
trafficking and organized crime and disaster management and joint
exercises . It will also enhance India’s commitment to its growing
strategic engagement with ASEAN countries.
The economic cooperation between the two countries has been set
surpassing the set targets as by them. Trade which was $4.5 billion
in 2005 has touched $12 billion on surpassing the target of $10 billion
and the new target $25 billion has been fixed for 2015.FDI agreements
to the tune of $ 15 billion investment by Indian entities in Indonesia
have also been signed.
Other important areas of cooperation in various fields by the two
countries include working together in international forums such as WTO,
environmental protection.
Parallel approaches for Asian candidature in an expanded UN security council.
To over come lack of direct air connectivity between two
countries,Jakarta has recently assigned the newly established Batik Air
to be its designated airline to operate on route between the two
countries.
Realising the adverse reaction of countries in the region to China’s
assertiveness , Chinese premier Li Kequang has launched its charm
offensive by visiting some of these countries and disabusing their
minds of any Chinese aggressive intentions presumably to keep India
out.
The global economy has just started to recover after years of
stagnation. India is currently in the process of finaising financial
reforms so that investments in Indian markets are safe from frauds and
for creating business friendly environment that will attract flow of
capital and business to India thereby significantly enhancing the
prospects of two countries to compete even the fastest growing economy
in Asia.
Since both countries are in the final year before general elections
next year, these agreements will provide raod –map for successor
governments for strengthening future bilateral relations in all
areas.
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