Jokowi, accompanied by First Lady Iriana Joko Widodo, left Palam Airport in New Delhi for Tehran at 02.30 pm local time.
The presidents entourage includes Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Darmin Nasution, Minister/State Secretary Pratikno, Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi, Trade Minister Enggartiasto Lukita, Industry Minister Airlangga Hartanto, and Chairman of the Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) Thomas Lembong.
President Jokowis visit to Iran is aimed at expanding cooperation and strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries.
Iran is endowed with large energy reserves, and strengthening cooperation with energy-resource rich countries is very important from a national energy security perspective.
Foreign Minister Retno LP Marsudi said earlier that the president will seek to enhance cooperation with Iran in the oil and gas sector, including cooperation in operating oilfields in Iran and investments in Indonesias oil refineries.
"Economic cooperation with Iran has become more open following the signing of Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA)," Retno said.
The president will also use the visit to strengthen cooperation within the framework of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) of which both Indonesia and Iran are members.
Indonesia was elected IORA chairman for the period 2015 to 2017.(*)
Editor: Heru Purwanto
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