Thương mại Ấn Độ - Thái Lan có thể đạt 10 tỉ USD

India-Thailand trade likely to touch $10 billion

Special Correspondent
The Hindu
New Delhi, April 5, 2011

Prime Minister of Thailand Abhisit Vejjajiva (left) and Minister of Commerce and Industry Anand Sharma at a Business meeting in New Delhi on Tuesday. Photo: Ramesh Sharma

Stating that Thailand and India should build on their economic ties as possibilities are immense, Prime Minister of Thailand Abhisit Vejjajiva on Tuesday said bilateral trade between the two nations was likely to touch $10 billion by 2012.

Addressing a business conclave meeting here on his first visit to India as the Prime Minister, Mr. Vejjajiva said the bilateral trade had seen a six-fold increase in the last ten years. It was likely to touch $10 billion by 2012 up from $6.7 billion last year.

Stating that Indian businesses and investors should see Thailand as a gateway to the ten-nation ASEAN market, the Thai Prime Minister said fast trade growth was expected when the ASEAN moved to a single market, set for 2015. “Thailand's Look-West Policy sets the stage in consolidating our substantive bilateral engagement. The last decade has seen a considerable expansion in our economic and political ties with the exchange of several high-level visits from both sides underscoring our mutual commitment for elevating the economic engagement,'' he added.

Speaking on the occasion, Union Commerce and Industry Minister Anand Sharma expressed optimism over growing trade and investment between the two countries.

Reiterating India's commitment to deepening integration with Southeast Asia, he said that enhancing the share of manufacturing in the GDP was a priority for India and Thailand could play a major role in enhancing the share of manufacturing as they had a proven expertise in the area and had a significant share in their GDP.

Mr. Sharma said Indian companies had invested $2 billion in the Thai economy and companies from Thailand had invested nearly $1 billion. “Complementary strengths of our industry make us natural partners and the advantages of geography only reinforce this relationship,'' he added.

Mr. Sharma invited Thai companies to forge partnerships in the infrastructure sector. The Minister said over eight lakh Indian tourists visit Thailand and almost an equal number of tourists from Thailand visit India. “We would like to take this beyond just air connectivity and in this context, the tri-lateral highway project linking India and Thailand through Myanmar is an area of high priority for us,'' he remarked. 

 

Source: http://www.thehindu.com/business/Economy/article1602232.ece?homepage=true

Danh mục các Biên bản ghi nhớ về hợp tác kinh tế giữa Ấn Độ và Indonesia được ký vào tháng 1/2011

List of Business MoUs signed during the State Visit of President of Indonesia

No	MOU	SIGNATORIES
1	Development of Industrial Complex Based on Heavy Minerals Resource Utilisation	Ministry of Industry of the Republic of Indonesia Mr. Panggah Susanto, Director General of Base Manufacturer Industries, Ministry of Industry, Republic of Indonesia and Trimex Sands Pvt. Ltd. India Mr. Pradeep Koneru, Trimex Pvt. Ltd. India
2	Railway Line for Transporting Coal and Coal Terminal from Tanjung Enim to Tanjung Api-api	Provincial Government of South Sumatera H.E. Mr. Alex Noerdin, Governor of South Sumatera, Indonesia – PT. Bukit Asam Tbk - Indonesia Mr. Soekrisno Soekoer, President Director of PT Bukit Asam Tbk, Indonesia – and Adani Holding Ltd. Mr. Gautam S. Adani, Adani Holding Ltd., India
3	Infrastructure (railway and seaport)	Provincial Government of South Sumatera H.E. Mr. Alex Noerdin, Governor of South Sumatera, Indonesia Reliance Coal Resources Private Ltd A.N Sethuraman – Group President
4	Aluminium Smelter	Provincial Government of South Sumatera H.E. Mr. Alex Noerdin, Governor of South Sumatera, Indonesia and National Aluminium Company Limited
5	Setting up and Operationalized Gas Based Power Plant with Capacity 2x1100 MW or 3X660 MW	Regency Government of Kendal, Central Java Province Ms. Widya Kandi Susanti, Regent of Kendal PT. Megra Urip Pesona Indonesia Mr. Teddy Garnadi, Director and Adani Global Mr. Gautam S. Adani
6	Training and Internship for Civil Servants and National Electric Company	Indonesia Investment Coordinating Board Mr. Gita Irawan Wirjawan, Chairman of Indonesian Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) and Tata Power Mr. Prasad R. Menon, Managing Director of Tata Power, India
7	Mining, construction of steel plant and its infrastucture	Provincial Government of Central Kalimantan H.E. Agustin Teras Narang – Governor of Central Kalimantan and International Coal Ventures Private Ltd. Mr. Chandra Shekhar Verma – Chairman
8	Setting up of Airport at Kulon Progo, Yogyakarta	PT Angkasa Pura I Tommy Soetomo – President Director and GVK - India Dr. GVK Reddy – Chairman & Managing Director
9	Off Take Fertilizer	PT Pupuk Sriwijaya - Indonesia Arifin Tasrif – President Director and National Fertilizers Limited – India V.K Sharma – Chairman & Managing Director
10	Information Technology (IT)	Lippo Group – Indonesia Theo Sambuaga – President PT Multipolar Technology (Lippo Group) - Indonesia Harijono Suwarno – President Director and HCL Technologies - India Rajiv Sodhi – Senior Corp Vice President
11	Financing of Coal Based Power Plant	PT Eastern Infrastructure International – Indonesia Kris Wiluan – Chairman & Managing Director and Bharat Heavy Electrical Limited - India B Prasada Rao - Chairman & Managing D
12	Setting up of Airport at Buleleng, Bali	Indonesia Investment Coordinating Board Gita Wirjawan – Chairman PT Pembangunan Bali Mandiri Ketut Suardhana Linggih – President Director and GVK – India Dr. GVK Reddy – Chairman & Managing Director
13	Cargo Ship Building and Oil and Gas Terminal	PT. PAL – Indonesia Harsusanto Soenawar – President Director and Pipavav Shipyard Ltd Bavesh Gandhi – Vice Chairman SKIL Infrastructure Ltd. Nikhil Gandhi - Chairman
14	Road Infrastructure for Mine and Port	PT Surya Kepanjen D.W Soewondho – Director and SEW Trident Global Pte Ltd Srikanth Chilappagari – President Director
15	Information Technology Security Transfer of Technology	PT. Walden Global Services Ikin Wirawan and Secure Matrix India Private Ltd. Saurabh B Dani – Vice Chairman
16	Dredging of Batanghari River and construction of Coal Terminal in Jambi	Governor of Jambi Mr. Hasan Basri Agus and Archean Mr. Erumbala Pradeep
17	Estabilishment and of Management and Innovation Institute	Indorama Mr. Sri Prakash Lohia, Chairman and DAV College Trust & Management Society Mr. Prabodh Mahajar
18	Free Trade Zone Cooperation	Batam Free Zone Authority Mr. Mustofa Widjaja, Chairman and Santacruz Special Economic Zone

New Delhi

January 25, 2011

Source: http://meaindia.nic.in/meaxpsite/declarestatement/2011/01/25js03.pdf

Tuyên bố chung: Tầm nhìn Đối tác chiến lược mới Ấn Độ - Indonesia trong thập niên tới

Joint Statement: Vision for the India-Indonesia New Strategic Partnership over the coming decade

January 25, 2011

1. The Prime Minister of India H.E Dr. Manmohan Singh welcomed the President of the Republic of Indonesia H.E Dr. Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono on a State Visit to India from January 24-26, 2011 and as the Chief Guest on the occasion of India's Republic Day on January 26, 2011. The two leaders held extensive talks on bilateral, regional and global issues of shared concern on January 25, 2011. The two leaders recalled the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries six decades earlier and decided to mark the year 2011 as the celebration of six decades of diplomatic relations between the two countries and to hold related events to mark the anniversary in the two capitals.

2. The two leaders reaffirmed the political commitment of both countries for upgrading bilateral relations in order to achieve sustained progress and prosperity for the two countries in the rapidly evolving and dynamic regional and global political and economic situation. They also acknowledged that Indonesia and India are natural partners as two developing democratic countries in the region, committed to multiculturalism, pluralism and diversity. They have responsibility for, and are capable of, responding to global and regional challenges, and they must play an active role in the promotion of democracy, peace and stability in Asia Pacific region and the world at large.

3. The Prime Minister of India and the President of Indonesia expressed satisfaction at the steady growth of political, security, economic, science and technology and cultural exchanges between the two countries. They noted the development of active cooperation through numerous frameworks governing defense, science and technology, space cooperation, agricultural science, culture, tourism, and youth affairs & sports. The two leaders also acknowledged cooperation in education, media, air services, energy resources including oil, gas, coal, and renewable energy, prevention of smuggling, prevention of illegal trade in narcotics, disaster management, cooperation in the area of small and medium enterprises, meteorology, climatology and geophysics including climate change, health, marine and fisheries. They reiterated their common desire for accelerating the implementation of cooperation in these areas and monitoring such cooperation through the mechanism of Action Plan on Implementing the New Strategic Partnership drawn up during the Indonesia-India Joint Commission Meeting (JCM) in June 2007.

4. With a view to facing the challenges in food security as means of providing basic human needs for the two countries, both leaders encouraged the implementation of the MoU in the field of agriculture and allied sectors that was signed on December 1st, 2008, and also the implementation of work plan for period of 2009-2013 in the area of agriculture development, joint research in agriculture science, technology development on post harvest and processing, agriculture marketing system and export, joint research on Animal Diseases and capacity building.

5. The two leaders realized the importance of education on human resource, economic and social development in both countries, therefore committed to strengthen it through the signing of Memorandum of Understanding on Education which covers all level of education.

6. The two leaders agreed to have summit level meetings on the sidelines of multilateral events. Both sides recognized the importance of the biennial Joint Commission Meetings (JCM) at the level of the Foreign Ministers, and agreed that the next JCM should be held in the first half of 2011. While welcoming the steady exchange of Ministerial visits between the two countries, the two sides encouraged to promote regular exchanges at the Cabinet level, inter alia, between the Ministers of Energy including Oil, Gas, Coal, Power and Renewable Energy, Commerce and Industry, Health, Agriculture, Science and Technology, Defense, Education, Home/ Coordinating Ministry for Political, Legal and Security Affairs, and Tourism. The two leaders also encouraged regular exchanges between Parliament as another brick to strengthen bilateral ties and solidify democratic values.

7. With a view to developing a 'Vision Statement 2025' for the Indonesia-India Strategic Partnership, the President of Indonesia and the Prime Minister of India announced the establishment of an Eminent Persons’ Group (EPG). The deliberations of the EPG would guide the future progress and prepare a blue-print of Indonesia-India relations over the next 15 years.

8. The two leaders unequivocally condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and stressed that there could be no justification whatsoever for any act of terrorism. Recognizing the common threats to national security from transnational crimes, including international terrorism, the President of Indonesia and the Prime Minister of India resolved to significantly enhance bilateral cooperation in combating terrorism. The two leaders resolved to commit their countries in improving sharing of intelligence, the development of more effective counter terrorism policies, enhance liaison between law enforcement agencies, provide assistance in the areas of border and immigration control to stem the flow of terrorist related material, money and people and specific measures against transnational crimes, including international terrorism through the already existing mechanism between Indonesia and India. The two leaders desired that the next meeting of the Joint Working Group on Counter-Terrorism should be held in the first half of 2011.

9. The President of Indonesia and the Prime Minister of India noted that Indonesia and India are strategic partners, neighbouring countries sharing a common maritime boundary, with a common interest in cooperating in the maintenance of regional peace and security. They expressed satisfaction at the steady expansion of bilateral defence cooperation between the two countries and stressed the importance of strengthening bilateral defence cooperation, through regular exchanges between the defence establishments of both countries. The two leaders welcomed institutionalization of biennial dialogue at the level of Defence Ministers.

10. The two leaders stressed the importance of strengthening cooperation in the areas of science and technology. They expressed satisfaction at the progress achieved during the 2nd Joint Science and Technology Committee Meeting in October 2010. The agreed areas of cooperation are in the field of biotechnology, marine, agriculture, information and communication technology, health and medicine, energy, disaster management, aeronautic and space technology.

11.The two leaders noted the importance of and agreed to establish a cooperation between Indonesia and India in the fields of meteorology, climatology, including climate variability and change, geophysics and Early Warning of Coastal Hazards as well as related issues through the science and technology development and application and efficient management in creating disaster risk management community effectively and in a timely manner.

12. The two leaders expressed satisfaction at the growing trade and investment ties between Indonesia and India. Noting that the bilateral trade volume between Indonesia and India had increased nearly threefold since the establishment of the Strategic Partnership between the two countries in 2005, the two leaders agreed to set the new target for bilateral trade volume of US$ 25 billion by 2015.

13. The two leaders also noticed the importance of encouraging outward investment from both countries. In this regard, Indonesia stressed India as a potential partner because its investment realization in Indonesia has steadily increased for the last twenty years. With regard to the National Investment Roadmap, Indonesia would also welcome further investments from India, especially in the fields of energy, food and infrastructure.

14. The two leaders announced a number of important initiatives to further tap the potential of bilateral trade and investment between the two countries. It was agreed to have a Biennial Trade Ministers Forum, including the establishment of a ‘Trade and Investment Forum’ between the Trade Ministers to exploit the potential of trade and investment opportunities in both countries.

15. The two leaders welcomed the entry into force of the India-ASEAN Free Trade Agreement in Goods on October 1, 2010, and expected the utilization of the Agreement would increase in the following years.

16. Both leaders were pleased to announce the commencement of negotiation on Indonesia - India Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (II-CECA), building on what has already been achieved under the India-ASEAN FTA. The decision to embark on negotiations will take forward the shared goal in the New Strategic Partnership 2005 of increasing the volume of bilateral trade and investment. Both leaders agreed that the CECA would be a comprehensive agreement, covering economic cooperation, trade in goods and services, and investment and hoped that it would further contribute to building a higher-level and mutually beneficial economic cooperation between the two countries.

17. Noting the mutual interest of both countries in the development of energy resources and the introduction of investment associated with such resources along with new technologies, the two leaders announced the establishment of an Energy Forum co-chaired by the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources of Indonesia and the Minister of Coal of India, supported by expert forums in the respective countries to accelerate the implementation of programs of mutual interest.

18. The two leaders reiterated that as major countries deliberating the great issues of our time - the reform of the United Nations, tackling the global economic and financial crisis and working together on global issues like climate change, Indonesia and India can and must work together effectively in fora like the UN, UNFCC, WMO, WTO and the G-20 to make a difference and to help achieve consensus on these important issues.

19. The President of Indonesia and the Prime Minister of the India were pleased to note the growing cultural ties between the two countries. Recalling the long history of cultural and historical links between the two countries, they stressed the importance of cultural exchanges in building strong people-to-people ties which would reinforce ties in all areas. They agreed on a number of new initiatives including the exchange of cultural festivals. Ramayana festivals, reciprocal seminars on historical and cultural ties between India and Indonesia and cooperation in tourism promotion.

20. With a view to enhancing people-to-people links, both leaders agreed to enhance and strengthen cooperation in the cultural sector as means to promote extensive people-to-people contacts by committing to implement cultural exchange programme for 2011-2014.

21. The two leaders recognized that a quantum leap in tourism between India and Indonesia is desirable to strengthen vibrant and longstanding people to people ties. As a step towards this objective, the Prime Minister announced a scheme of granting visa on arrival to the citizens of Indonesia.

22. In order to strengthen and reinforce consular cooperation and traditional friendly relations between India and Indonesia, the Prime Minister of India announced the establishment of a Consulate General of India in the Province of Bali which was warmly welcomed by the President of Indonesia. The establishment of the Consulate will reinforce the strong cultural links between Indonesia and India.

23. President Yudhoyono and Prime Minister Singh concluded that their meeting was a historic milestone as they sought to elevate their new Strategic Partnership to a higher level for the benefit of their nations and the entire mankind. President Yudhoyono invited Prime Minister Singh to visit Indonesia, which was graciously accepted.

24. President Yudhoyono expressed his appreciation and gratitude to President Patil, Prime Minister Singh and the people of India for their extraordinary warmth and hospitality during the visit.

New Delhi
January 25, 2011

(This translation (transliteration) is solely powered by Google and is not official translation of Ministry of External Affairs, India)


Source: http://meaindia.nic.in/mystart.php?id=530517097

Các thỏa thuận được ký kết giữa Ấn Độ và Indonesia trong chuyến thăm Ấn Độ của Tổng thống Indonesia tháng 1/2011

Agreements signed during the State Visit of President of Indonesia

Sl No.	Details of the MOU/Treaty	Signatory from Indian side	Signatory from Indonesian side
1	Extradition Treaty	Shri S.M. Krishna Hon’ble Minister of External Affairs	H.E. Dr. Marty Natalegawa Minister of Foreign Affairs
2	Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty	Shri S.M. Krishna Hon’ble Minister of External Affairs	H.E. Dr. Marty Natalegawa Minister of Foreign Affairs
3	MoU for cooperation in the field of Education	Shri Kapil Sibal Hon’ble Minister of Human Resource Development	H.E. Mr. Muhammad Nuh Minister of National Education
4	MoU on the Establishment of Biennial Trade Ministers’ Forum	Shri Anand Sharma Hon’ble Minister of Commerce and Industry	H.E. Ms. Mari Elka Pangestu Minister of Trade
5	Protocol for extension of the MoU on Cooperation in Marine & Fisheries	Shri R. Gangadharan Secretary Deptt. of Animal Husbandry, Ministry of Agriculture	H.E. Mr. Fadel Muhammad Minister of Marine Affairs & Fisheries
6	MoU for the Development of Urea Manufacture Plant in Indonesia	Dr. Sutanu Behuria Secretary, Deptt of Fertilizers	H.E. Mr. M.S. Hidayat Minister of Industry
7	Air Services Agreement	Ms. Vijaya Latha Reddy Secretary (East) Ministry of External Affairs	H.E. Mr. Freddy Numberi Minister of Transportation
8	Mou on ooperation in Oil and Gas	Shri S. Sundareshan Secretary Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas	H.E. Dr. Marty Natalegawa Minister of Foreign Affairs
9	MoU on ooperation in the field of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises	Shri Uday Kumar Varma Secretary, Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises for MSME	H.E. Dr. Marty Natalegawa Minister of Foreign Affairs
10	MoU on ooperation in Science & Technology	Dr. T. Ramasami Secretary, Department of Science & Technology	H.E. Dr. H. Suharna Surapranata Minister for Science and Technology
11	MoU between Press Council of India and Press Council of Indonesia	Justice G.N. Ray Chairman Press Council of India	Dr. Bagir Manan Chairman Press Council of Indonesia

Source: http://meaindia.nic.in/meaxpsite/declarestatement/2011/01/25jd01.pdf

Thương mại Ấn Độ - ASEAN sẽ đạt 70 tỉ USD trong 3 năm tới

India-ASEAN trade to reach $70 b in 3 years

Special Correspondent
The Hindu
NEW DELHI, February 23, 2011

In an indication of growing synergy between the two major trading partners, India-ASEAN trade is expected to touch $70 billion in the next three years.

Talking to newsmen here, Ministry of Commerce and Industry Joint Secretary Sumanta Chaudhuri said India-ASEAN trade during the calendar year 2009 was — exports $17.3 billion and imports $23.8 billion — and during 2010 — exports $22.3 billion and imports $27.8 billion.

Speaking on the forthcoming India-ASEAN business fair and business conclave to be held from March 2 to 6 here, Mr. Chaudhuri said this would be a defining event which would epitomise the post-ASEAN FTA synergy between the two major trading partners.

This first major event after the FTA would be a unique blend of exhibition, meeting of captains of trade and industry and business conclave. This event would showcase India's soft power by involvement of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR).

The fair is being coordinated by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI). The event will bring together business leaders and practitioners for knowledge sharing and business development across industry segments from India and ten ASEAN countries.

The fair will be inaugurated by Commerce and Industry Minister Anand Sharma. Trade and industry ministers from the ten ASEAN Countries (Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam) will be participating.

The focus sectors of display and business interest during the fair would be banking, tourism, automotive, construction, oil and gas, pharmaceutical, cosmetics, chemicals, light engineering, electrical equipment, aluminium and stainless steel, training, health products, infrastructure, transportation logistic services, shipbuilding and repairs, jewellery, garments and many more.

Source: http://www.thehindu.com/business/Economy/article1481381.ece

Ấn Độ-Indonesia: Xây dựng sự cân bằng mới

New equations

P.S. SURYANARAYANA

Frontline

Volume 28 - Issue 04 :: Feb. 12-25, 2011

India and Indonesia sign a vision statement covering a whole gamut of existing and potential bilateral cooperation and strategic concerns.

V.V. KRISHNAN

GLOBALISATION has sparked unprecedented awareness about international relations. So the search for labels for the changing dynamics of relations between any two countries or among member-states of any group is often seen as real diplomacy itself. It is in this ambience that India and Indonesia have come up with a statement of “vision” for their existing “new strategic partnership”.

The statement, issued after talks between Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in New Delhi on January 25, covers the coming decade. Not only that. The two leaders also announced the formation of an eminent persons group that would help shape an India-Indonesia “vision statement 2025”. The new strategic partnership was fashioned in November 2005. Yet, it is widely recognised that the two countries are still far from engaging each other as potentially key players in East Asia and beyond.

Yudhoyono, often known by his first name Susilo as in the Confucian and Malay-Javanese cultural practices, was this year's Chief Guest at the Republic Day celebrations in New Delhi on January 26. Significantly, therefore, the political symbolism of such a sense of fraternity permeates much of the latest vision statement. A counterpoint is that specific collaborative projects are rarely, if at all, cited in a vision statement, and this one is no different. Yet, there is also no need to be dismissive of this joint statement in the manner of the harsh criticism made against United States President Barack Obama that he should get his eyes examined by doctors, if he, as contended, was foolishly overwhelmed by his own visions of a nuclear-weapons-free world.

In general terms, the India-Indonesia “vision” statement covers the entire spectrum of existing and potential bilateral cooperation, ranging from agriculture and defence as also energy sectors to science and technology as also outer space. More importantly, the two sides announced the commencement of negotiations for a comprehensive economic cooperation agreement. In addition, 11 specific documents were inked. A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was also signed by Commerce Minister Anand Sharma and his Indonesian counterpart Mari Elka Pangestu to form a Trade Ministers' forum, which would meet every two years. On a different but related front, an air services agreement was signed by Secretary (East) Latha Reddy and Indonesian Transportation Minister Freddy Numberi.

Politically significant were the extradition and mutual legal assistance treaties signed by External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna and his Indonesian counterpart Marty Natalegawa. Evidently, counter-terror agendas and concerns over transnational crimes, as shared by New Delhi and Jakarta, lent a sense of urgency in this regard. Another MoU, signed by Petroleum and Natural Gas Secretary S. Sundareshan and the Indonesian Foreign Minister, was relevant to the new focus on energy issues as a matter of strategic concern.

At the business-to-business level, an increasingly parallel dimension of bilateral diplomacy across the world, 18 MoUs were signed by Indian and Indonesian corporate executives. The planned projects cover different economic sectors such as infrastructure, including airport construction in Bali and at Yogyakarta in Indonesia, India-beneficial development of natural resources in Indonesia, besides information technology and the development of industrial complexes. Such a sweeping range of business-to-business engagement and of intergovernmental diplomatic activism is both the cause and consequence of recent trends in India's relations with Indonesia. The overarching inter-state framework for such bilateral interactions is said to be the shared identity of the two countries as democracies in an ambience of pluralistic and open societies. A point often made is that India is the world's largest liberal democracy and Indonesia is the most populous democracy with a decisive Muslim majority.

EAST ASIAN POLITICAL ORDER

In one sense, there is no need to discount the value of such political identities as the potential drivers of future-oriented interactions between the two countries. Yet, the bilateral trade is just $11.8 billion, not at all a figure that can, metaphorically, set the Indian Ocean on fire. Moreover, India and Indonesia have not so far figured out their respective places in the emerging East Asian political order. They are members of the East Asian Summit (EAS), a “leaders-led strategic forum”, which will formally admit the U.S. and Russia later this year, and participate in the discussions on global economy in the increasingly important Group of 20 (G20) and in the decreasingly important ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF).

As a jumbo-sized forum convened by the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations, the ARF has so far failed to rise above its general reputation as a talk-shop. Yet, Indonesia, as the current Chair of ASEAN, will preside over this year's meetings of both the ARF and the EAS. Moreover, while the ARF might have a bleak record of substantive action with regard to any major international security issue, the forum still exudes some residual value. The ARF can, on its sidelines, continue to provide opportunities for exercises in trouble-shooting in the troubled ties among two or more member-countries.

To a considerable extent, the future of the India-Indonesia equation will be determined by their respective interactions with the U.S., China, Japan, Russia, Australia and South Korea. All these countries are in the G20.

The U.S. has increasingly revealed its real intentions in East Asia. Divested of the usual diplomatic gloss, Washington's basic strategy is to check the steady rise of China by resorting to a non-confrontational method. It is in this sensitive sphere that the U.S. hopes to, or at least wants to, engage and cooperate with fellow democracies such as Japan, Australia, India, Indonesia and South Korea.

Of these countries, Japan and Australia are close military allies of the U.S. Tokyo's chequered relations with Beijing, a fact of life in East Asia since the end of the Second World War, have now acquired a sharper edge. This is an empirical reality, regardless of whether the new root causes can be traced to Beijing or Tokyo, or indeed both. Tokyo recently announced its plans to raise its defence profile in the specific current context of China's rapid military modernisation. Significantly, official Tokyo is seeking ways to reinforce its “indispensable alliance” with the U.S. Japan wants to do so only with the consent of its people, who have been for long resentful of their daily inconveniences, which are routinely traceable to the prolonged U.S. militarisation of densely populated pockets in Japan. 

 

V.V. KRISHNAN

PRIME MINISTER MANMOHAN Singh and Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, before the signing of bilateral agreements, at Hyderabad House in New Delhi on January 25.

More relevant to the evident U.S. game plan in East Asia is the explicit mention of India, behind some ASEAN countries, South Korea and Australia, in an ascending order of importance, as the players with whom Japan would like to establish security links. All the countries mentioned here are at present friends of the U.S., and it stands to reason that Japan treats Indonesia, an ASEAN founder-member, as a U.S. friend.

Relevant to this subtext, albeit in a subtle way, is the tenor of discussion on a key point during the press briefing by the Pentagon spokesman on January 26. Speaking of the new American warplanes that Japan could now “pursue”, the spokesman began talking of China's latest test flight of a stealth fighter as “an unrelated but somewhat related topic”. While the spokesman might or might not have thought about the implicit message, which simply is that Japan's air power, under the U.S. wings, is relevant to America's plans to track and face the likely challenges from a Chinese stealth fighter. The U.S., of course, is known to possess such fifth-generation combat planes. But the spokesman, casting doubts on China's reported success of testing a stealth fighter, cautioned against premature pronouncements about China having achieved “fifth-gen capability”.

THE CHINA FACTOR

Addressing the emerging China factor in East Asia's security scenarios, the spokesman amplified Obama's latest intention of increasing the U.S. military footprint in the region. Obama dropped hints of that after his talks with Chinese President Hu Jintao in Washington in mid-January. The Pentagon spokesman presented the issue in the context of the new tensions on the Korean peninsula, an issue often linked by the U.S. to China's own interests and strategies in East Asia.

The Pentagon official said: “Over the long-term lay-down of our [U.S.] forces in the Pacific, we are looking at ways to even bolster that, not necessarily in [South] Korea and Japan [where America has its troops already] but along the Pacific Rim, particularly in South-East Asia”. While the U.S. spokesman did not mention the places in South-East Asia that Washington might have identified under its security prism, it is arguable that the Pentagon can be truly successful in this endeavour only with the active or passive support of Indonesia.

Jakarta, once treated by Washington as a relative non-player with regard to pan-East Asian military matters, now figures in the overall U.S. security calculus in the region. While the reasons for this about-turn are not relevant to Indonesia's ties with India, Jakarta's changing equation with Washington is something that New Delhi cannot be oblivious to. Arguably, India and Indonesia can seek an energetic new equation without necessarily having to link that to their respective interactions with the U.S. on different trajectories.

U.S.' STRATEGIC INTERESTS

A new reality may still impinge on this argument. With the U.S. entering the EAS later this year, Washington's broadly strategic interests with regard to India and Indonesia, among other member-states of this forum, cannot be brushed aside.

As EAS insiders point out, the U.S. has already let others know about its evolving policy of wanting to refashion the East Asian security landscape. Moreover, ASEAN, the prime mover in the creation of the EAS, took a decision to admit the U.S. and Russia without any significant consultations with China or Japan or India or South Korea, insiders say. The implicit message is that the U.S. has already begun to have its way by being able to influence the thinking of the ASEAN countries.

Indonesia is by far the most important ASEAN country with which America's relations have shown dramatic improvement in recent years. Vietnam is another country that the U.S. has sought to nurture as a potential friend and perhaps also as an ally at some stage in the future.

The Pentagon spokesman cited Australia “not [for] permanent deployment of [U.S.] troops, but [for] having access to certain facilities”. In emphasising the importance of South-East Asia as a new, or renewed, theatre of U.S. interest in the overall China context, he said “we [already] have access [to] and a good relationship with Singapore”.

If these comments, not as startling as the once-significant ‘Pentagon Papers', have any meaning for the EAS members, the implicit message is that the U.S. is beginning to see East Asia as a new security theatre. India and Indonesia can, of course, hope to reorder their bilateral equation without the U.S. as a direct factor. It is perhaps significant, for now, that defence cooperation was not the prime focus of Yudhoyono's talks with Manmohan Singh.

 

Source: http://flonnet.com/stories/20110225280405700.htm

Ấn Độ và Indonesia ký 18 văn bản hợp tác

India, Indonesia sign 18 pacts

Sujay Mehdudia
The Hindu
NEW DELHI, January 26, 2011

India and Indonesia on Tuesday signed 18 agreements worth $15.1 billion in sectors such as mining, infrastructure and manufacturing.

“I very much welcome the signing of 18 business MoUs,” Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said at a business meeting here.

GVK Power and Infrastructure signed two MoUs with the Indonesian government to develop green field international airports in Bali and Java. Both countries have also set a target for bilateral trade to touch $25 billion in the next five years.

“We are growing stronger as economic partners. Our bilateral trade tripled in the last five years from $4 billion in 2005 and is expected to reach $12 billion in 2010. Our next target is to double this in the next five years to $25 billion,” Mr. Yudhoyono said.

Steel Authority of India Limited and chairman of the International Coal Ventures Private Limited C.S. Verma signed a MoU with the Governor of Central Kalimantan, Indonesia, Agustin Teras Narang, for development of mineral deposits and the setting up of a mineral processing facility, steel plant, and required infrastructure in the province of Central Kalimantan.

The MoU was signed in the presence of Mr. Yudhoyono, Minister for Commerce and Industry Anand Sharma and Minister of State for External Affairs E. Ahmed.

Source: http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article1124558.ece

Ấn Độ và Indonesia đặt mục tiêu thương mại song phương lên 25 tỉ USD vào năm 2015

Trade target set at $25 b with Indonesia

Special Correspondent
NEW DELHI, January 26, 2011

SAIL and ICVL Chairman Mr C.S. Verma (left) with Governor of Central Kalimantan, Indonesia, H.E. Mr Agustin Teras Narang at the MoU signing ceremony at New Delhi. Photo: Special arrangement

India and Indonesia, seeking to take their partnership to the next level, have agreed to begin negotiations for concluding a Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) and set a bilateral trade target of $25 billion by 2015 against $11 billion last fiscal.

“Both leaders are pleased to announce the commencement of negotiations on the Indonesia-India Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement, building on what has already been achieved under the India-ASEAN FTA,” a joint statement issued here after a meeting between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and visiting Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said.

The agreement is aimed at reducing or eliminating tariffs on goods and services between the countries. It would also cover investments.

Both leaders expressed the hope that the pact would further contribute to building a higher-level and mutually beneficial economic cooperation between the two countries, the statement said.

The decision to embark on negotiations would take forward the shared goal in the New Strategic Partnership of increasing the volume of bilateral trade and investment, it said. Under the Strategic Partnership, Dr. Singh and Mr. Bambang Yudhoyono set a target of $25 billion by 2015, the statement said.

Taking its FTA with the 10-nation ASEAN bloc a step further, India implemented a free trade pact with Indonesia in October last that slashes import duties on thousands of products, such as seafood, chemicals and apparel. Besides, Indonesia stresses on India as a potential partner because India's investment realisation there has steadily increased during the last 20 years, the statement said.

Both countries agreed to have a Biennial Trade Ministers Forum, including the establishment of a Trade and Investment Forum between the trade ministers to exploit the potential of trade and investment opportunities in both countries, it said.

Agriculture sector

To address food security, the two leaders encouraged the implementation of the memorandum of understanding in agriculture and allied sectors that were signed on December 31, 2008 along with the implementation of a work plan for 2009-13 in agricultural development and joint research in agriculture science, the statement said.

India and Indonesia signed 18 business MoUs worth $15.1 billion in infrastructure, mining and manufacturing that include private companies such as Tata Power, Adani Global, Trimax Sands, BHEL, SAIL and other companies.

Source: http://www.thehindu.com/business/Economy/article1127670.ece

Ấn Độ cấp visa tại sân bay cho công dân Myanmar và Indonesia

Tourist Visa on Arrival for Myanmar, Indonesia citizens

Vishwa Mohan,
TNN
The Times of India
Jan 25, 2011

NEW DELHI: India on Tuesday extended the Tourist Visa on Arrival (TVOA) scheme for the citizens of Myanmar and Indonesia.

Nationals of nine other countries -- Japan, Singapore, Finland, Luxembourg, New Zealand, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam and Philippines -- are already availing this facility in India.

"The TVOA is allowed for a maximum validity of 30 days with single entry facility by the Immigration Officers at Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata Airports on payment of a fee of US $ 60 or equivalent amount in Indian rupees per passenger (including children).

TVOA is allowed for a maximum of two times in a calendar year to a foreigner with a minimum gap of two months between each visit. TVOA shall be non-extendable and non-convertible", said the Union home ministry.

The foreigners of such may, however, also avail of TVOA for up to 30 days for medical treatment, for casual business or to visit friends/relatives. The TVOA facility is not applicable to the holders of Diplomatic/Official Passports.

The TVOA will also not be granted to the foreigners who have permanent residence or occupation in India. Such persons can visit India on normal visa, as applicable.

The ministry said: "In order to promote tourism, the TVOA scheme was first introduced for the nationals of five countries -- Japan, Singapore, Finland, Luxembourg and New Zealand -- on January 1, 2010. The scheme has been found to be useful by the foreign nationals. Up to December last year, 6569 nationals availed the facility of TVOA. Government had later extended the scheme for the nationals of four more countries -- Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam and Philippines – on January 1 this year". 

Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Tourist-visa-on-arrival-for-Myanmar-Indonesia-citizens/articleshow/7359713.cms

Indonesia và Ấn Độ sẽ ký hơn 30 văn bản hợp tác

Yudhoyono to sign three dozen pacts

 

Sandeep Dikshit
The Hindu
NEW DELHI, January 24, 2011

India, Indonesia will promote cooperation in combating terror, curbing money-laundering

In an attempt to make bilateral ties comprehensive, India and Indonesia will sign nearly three dozen memoranda of understanding or agreements during President Susilo Bamgbang Yudhoyono's visit beginning on Monday.

India will focus on forging closer ties in energy, defence and investment during the visit of Mr. Yudhoyono, who will be the chief guest at the Republic Day celebrations, official sources in the Ministry of External Affairs said.

Mr. Yudhoyono previously visited India in November 2005, when bilateral ties were elevated to the strategic level. The current visit will allow both sides to review the action plan signed in June 2007 to fill the ties with content and vigour. Among the agreements to be signed will be those meant to enhance India's energy security. Indian companies already source very high grade coal from Indonesia, and Mr. Yudhoyono's visit will enable them to step up sourcing and investment in Indonesian mines.

The two sides will also sign MoUs or agreements for cooperation in combating terror, extradition, curbing money-laundering and exchange of information on criminal activities to symbolise their political proximity.

“The entry point to the Malacca Straits is of crucial importance to worldwide shipping. That controls access to not only the northern Bay of Bengal but also to the Pacific Ocean. So, we have an ongoing, very intensive cooperation with Indonesia in naval patrolling [and] bilateral exercises, both with the Navy and the Coast Guard. That has been going on very well,” Joint Secretary (South) in the MEA, Arun Goyal, said.

Mr. Yudhoyono arrives on January 24, but his official engagements will begin on Tuesday. India and Indonesia recently completed a joint study for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA).

Source: http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article1116377.ece