Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi has encouraged increased cooperation between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and India.

During the Special ASEAN-India Foreign Ministers' Meeting (SAIFMM) held in New Delhi on Thursday (June 16), Marsudi discussed four issues of cooperation.

"First, jointly building a sustainable and resilient food supply chain for food security," Marsudi stated during a media briefing via video regarding her working visit to India, Friday.

In this regard, India and the ASEAN can work together in the areas of strengthening production capacity, developing agricultural technology, and improving agricultural infrastructure.

The Indonesian foreign minister also proposed strengthening cooperation to support health resilience in the region.

As a world pharmacy, India is expected to work closely with the ASEAN to build stronger health resilience in the region.

Furthermore, Marsudi encouraged the ASEAN and India to work together to create stability and peace by building an architecture of the Indo-Pacific region that is inclusive, mutually beneficial, and based on mutual trust.

“Fourth, I emphasize the importance of tolerance, moderation, and cooperation in interfaith dialogue. This collaboration is important if we want to bring our diverse society closer," she remarked.

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The Special ASEAN-India Foreign Ministers' Meeting was held to commemorate the 30th anniversary of ASEAN-India relations.

India makes 2022 the year of ASEAN-India friendship.

ASEAN and India earlier reaffirmed their commitment to take their strategic partnership to greater heights at the 22nd ASEAN-India Joint Cooperation Committee Meeting held at the ASEAN Secretariat on March 23.

This year is an important milestone in the partnership, marking the 30th anniversary of ASEAN-India relations, and the designation of the year as the ASEAN-India Friendship Year.

The meeting noted several commemorative activities to mark the momentous occasion and commended India for holding the Commemorative Reception on Mar 4 to kick off the commemoration of Friendship Year.

The meeting took note of the overall progress in implementing the ASEAN-India Plan of Action (2021-2025). Both sides reiterated their commitment to effectively continuing the implementation of the Plan of Action to ensure the depth and breadth of the engagement between the ASEAN and India benefited the people of both sides.

Both sides have established an ASEAN-India Project Management Unit at the ASEAN Secretariat in Jakarta, as part of the efforts to strengthen effective utilization, management and execution of the joint programmes and projects funded through the ASEAN-India Fund and the ASEAN-India Green Fund.
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Translator: Yashinta D, Azis Kurmala
Editor: Suharto
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