Press Release
Indian Parliamentary delegation in Indonesia on a goodwill visit
A ten member high powered Parliamentary delegation from India led by Mr. Kamal Nath, Union
Minister of Parliamentary Affairs & Urban Development arrived in Jakarta on 11 April 2013 on a five
day goodwill visit to Indonesia. The ten member delegation includes, besides the Union Minister, the
Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of North Eastern Region and Parliamentary
Affairs, Mr. Paban Singh Ghatowar, and eight Members of Parliament representing various political
parties.
The delegation called on H.E. Prof Dr. Boediono, Vice President of Republic of Indonesia on 12 th
April 2013. Vice President welcomed the visit of the high powered delegation and highlighted the need
for closer cooperation between the two parliaments. As two large democracies, Vice President added,
both faced similar challenges and emphasized the need to work with each other to address these
challenges.
Mr. Kamal Nath, Minister for Parliamentary Affairs & Urban Development, later called on Mr.
Gita Wirjawan, Minister of Trade, Republic of Indonesia. Both sides reviewed the status of bilateral
economic ties and called for enhanced economic engagement. They also discussed the forthcoming WTO
ministerial meeting to be hosted by Indonesia.
Earlier yesterday, the delegation met the Chairman of People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR),
Mr. Taufiq Kiemas, and Chairman of People’s Representative Council (DPD), Mr. Imran Gusman and
Commission I of the Indonesian Parliament. In the meetings, Mr. Kamal Nath, Union Minister of
Parliamentary Affairs & Urban Development, conveyed the warm greetings from the people of India and
said that India and Indonesia have always shared historical and civilization ties since times immemorial
which have been further reinforced by high level visits by both sides, the most recent being the visit of the
President of Republic of Indonesia for the India-ASEAN Summit. Both sides discussed issues of mutual
concern including strengthening the linkages between the two parliaments and regular exchange of visits.
Mr. Kamal Nath hoped that the delegation will benefit immensely from their interaction with their
counterparts and contribute towards enhanced understanding between the two countries.
The India Business Forum (IBF) hosted an interactive session for the Parliamentary delegation on
11 April 2013. IBF was launched in July 2012 for enhancement of economic engagement with Indonesia.
The visit of the Indian parliamentary delegation to Indonesia has helped in bringing the two
countries closer by reinforcing the existing warm and friendly ties enjoyed by both countries and
strengthening of institutional linkages.
The delegation would be leaving for Bali for the second leg of the visit and would be calling on
the Governor of Bali and other dignitaries.
12th April 2013