Cuttack, Nov. 17: Indonesia's ambassador in Delhi Rizali Wilmar Indrakesuma today expressed hope that Indonesia and India would continue to develop and strengthen bilateral relations.
"The two countries need to transform the strategic partnership into mutually beneficial cooperation," Indrakesuma said.
While regretting lack of implementation of the agreed MoUs, the Indonesian Ambassador called for transforming commitment into concrete action.
Indrakesuma was present at the conference organised by the Kalinga Lanka Foundation as part of the Kalinga Indonesia dialogue at Ravenshaw University. He said this after former Indian Ambassador to Indonesia Biren Nanda, as moderator, sought his comments on the opinion that the bilateral relations between the two countries were far from fulfilling the potential, and much needed to be done.
The former diplomats were interacting on strengthening political ties, revitalising the strategic partnership and maritime and security cooperation.
Former Indian ambassador in Myammar Rajiv Bhatia said with the blended impact of geography, history, culture and diversity, which define the two societies, "India and Indonesia should have been the best friends and the closest partners. The reality, however, is different. The bilateral relationship has witnessed many ups and downs, lacking both consistency and depth".
In recent times, he said, the Manmohan Singh-Yudhoyono period was marked by frequent interaction, regular consultations and conclusion of agreements, but also inadequate implementation. The Modi-Joko Widodo or Jokowi era is yet to see a VVIP-level visit, if the one by Indian Vice-President in November 2015 is discounted.
"The situation demonstrates inadequate appreciation of each country's importance by the other as well as insufficient complementarities between the foreign policies of the two countries," Bhatia said.
Former Indian ambassador in Washington DC Sudhir Devare said bilateralism with Indonesia needed to be given a fillip in foreign policy perceptions.
"The lack of differences or issues between the two appears to be the constraint. Such thinking needs to be removed. The so-close-and-yet -so-far syndrome should be overcome," Devare said.
