VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Chief of the Presidential Staff Office (KSP), Moeldoko, has said that Indonesia supports the strengthening of defense or security cooperation with India.

During a meeting with India's Deputy National Security Advisor (NSA), Pankaj Saran, and India's Ambassador to Indonesia, Manoj Kumar Bharti, here on Thursday, Moeldoko pointed out that Indonesia and India have some common interests.

For instance, he said, the two countries have the largest populations in the world and an incredible market share. In addition, Indonesia and India have similarities in relation to their geopolitical interests, he added.

"We have the same interest in facing radicalism and extremism. Therefore, we can develop a closer relationship in the defense sector," he remarked.

Moeldoko said he did not doubt India's capacity in building a resilient military power.

Meanwhile, Deputy National Security Advisor Saran said that the changing global situation has made cooperation between Indonesia and India very important.

"We are both maritime countries that are directly adjacent to the sea. But unfortunately, we have not maximized the potential of this cooperation to create a safer territory," Saran added.

India's Ambassador to Indonesia, Manoj Kumar Bharti, informed that the two countries' cooperation in the defense sector will focus on technology transfer and the development of the local manufacturing industry.

That way, although all knowledge of defense technology will come from India, the process of making defense systems will be carried out in Indonesia by local Indonesian skilled personnel, he explained.

In an earlier agreement on the defense sector, Indonesia and India had decided to explore collaboration with arms industry company PT Pindad and automobile manufacturer Tata Motors to produce water cannons and military vehicles in 2018, he noted.

In 2018, Indonesia and India held "The First Indonesia-India Security Dialogue" (IISD-1) in New Delhi, India.

India's NSA has expressed the hope that a second security dialogue between the two countries would be held. (Antaranews)