ISLAMABAD, PAKISTAN — Indonesia’s Defence Minister Lt Gen (retd) Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin on Tuesday expressed his country’s keen interest in expanding defence ties and exploring joint ventures in defence production during a meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Islamabad.
According to a statement issued by the Press Information Department (PID), the Indonesian minister called on the prime minister at the PM Office and conveyed the greetings and well wishes of Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto for the leadership and people of Pakistan.
Gen Sjamsoeddin reaffirmed Indonesia’s desire to strengthen military cooperation with Pakistan, particularly in defence manufacturing. In response, PM Shehbaz underscored Pakistan’s commitment to expanding bilateral collaboration with Indonesia in mutually beneficial investment projects, especially in the defence and strategic sectors.
The prime minister highlighted the historical, cultural and religious ties binding the two nations, noting that Pakistan and Indonesia have consistently supported each other on international platforms. He also stressed the importance of boosting cooperation in a broad range of areas including trade, economy, education, health, and security.
Recalling his earlier interaction with President Subianto during the Developing-8 Summit in Cairo, PM Shehbaz extended his best wishes to the Indonesian president and lauded the growing engagement between the two countries.
Both sides emphasized the need to fast-track initiatives under the Pakistan-Indonesia Defence Cooperation Agreement and agreed to accelerate progress on key areas of mutual interest.
Later in the day, the Indonesian defence minister visited General Headquarters in Rawalpindi, where he met Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir. During the meeting, the two sides held discussions on regional security, bilateral military cooperation, and opportunities for enhancing defence collaboration.
According to a press release from Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the meeting reaffirmed the deep-rooted ties between Pakistan and Indonesia, with Field Marshal Munir highlighting the need for regional peace and stability through mutual cooperation. Gen Sjamsoeddin appreciated the Pakistan Army’s role in counterterrorism and reiterated Indonesia’s commitment to strengthening defence relations.
The visit comes amid a broader trend of expanding cooperation between the two countries. In June, both nations agreed to increase collaboration in vaccine production, pharmaceutical development, and the establishment of medical institutions. Indonesia has also hosted networking events to boost trade ties, including a high-profile dinner last year for Pakistani business leaders at its embassy in Islamabad.
