"I believe that the India-ASEAN partnership will bring peace, stability, and prosper to all nations in Indo-Pacific region," the president remarked amid the retreat event of the summit, hosted in New Delhi on Jan 25-26.
During the talk, the president noted that the "Treaty of Amity and Cooperation of ASEAN" would strengthen the ties between nations of Indo-Pacific region.
However, in order to bolster the relation, all states should understand the value of "Indo-Pacifism", Jokowi noted.
He further explained that all states would understand the value through transparent and inclusive dialogues.
The talk, Jokowi added, should highlight the common interests of all countries, and comply with the international law.
An inclusive dialogue, the president stressed, would avoid any conflicts, or "power" projection that may appear from rivalry on certain states.
Hence, the countries of India-ASEAN should set up more bilateral and multilateral collaborations, through several schemes, such as the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), the ASEAN-led Mechanisms, as well as the East Asia-Pacific (Islands) Summit.
Building numbers or cooperation or "blocks" will transform the Indo-Pacific into hub of the world`s economic growth, trade, and industry, the president noted as cited from Bey Mahmudin, the protocol, press, and media deputy of the President Secretariat.
During the talk, the president also highlighted the importance of strengthening ties in maritime sector in order to maintain stability in Indo-Pacific region.
Apart of deliberating on Indo-Pacific issue, the president, in his opening remarks, also noted that India and ASEAN has celebrated 25 years diplomatic relations, while the Southeast Asian countries commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the group`s establishment.
"On this occasion, I would like to laud the India`s commitment to support the centrality of ASEAN. I am optimist that, India and ASEAN would back the Indo-Pacific region," he emphasized.
"For 50 years, ASEAN has maintained peace and prosperity in Southeast Asia, and now I believe the partnership of India-ASEAN will give more positive impacts to the region," he reiterated.
Attended by the India`s Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other Southeast Asian leaders, the retreat talk was part of the 2018 ASEAN-India Commemorative Summit hosted in New Delhi this month.
Beside the luncheon and the talk hosted on Thursday (Jan 25), the president is also scheduled to attend the India Republic Day, in order to commemorate the establishment of the country`s constitution.
Reported by Bayu Prasetyo
(UU.KR-GNT/A/KR-GNT/F001)
Reporter: antara
Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2018
