Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi will accompany President Joko Widodo to five countries in South Asia including Sri Lanka, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan from 24 to 29 January. In the 4 countries the President will make a state visit and to India a working visit. The theme of this visit is opening the opportunity. The main focus of this visit is the enhancement of economic cooperation.

Foreign Affairs Ministry Spokesman Arrmanatha Nasir said, “the population of these four countries (India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Bangladesh) is overwhelming, more than 1 billion inhabitants.These are non-traditional Indonesian markets. cooperation to be developed ".

In a Press Briefing held Friday 19 January, he explained, in addition to strengthening economic cooperation, this visit also will also raise the diplomacy of humanity Indonesia. This visit is also part of Indonesia's vision to develop a stable and prosperous Indo Pacific region.

On the same occasion, Director of South and Central Asia of the Foreign Ministry, Ferdy Piay, said that in India President Joko Widodo will attend the 25th anniversary of India-ASEAN and to attend the India Republic Day.

On the Republic Day, 10 ASEAN heads of state were invited as guests of honor.///SEKAR/AHM