Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto expressed his appreciation to the Pakistani government for deploying six JF-17 fighter jets to escort his aircraft as it entered the South Asian country’s airspace on Monday (December 8).

"I would like to extend my deepest and most genuine gratitude and respect for you, your government, and the people of Pakistan for the warm welcome you have presented me," he told Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif at a joint press conference monitored online from Jakarta on Tuesday.

While outlining the outcomes of his meeting with Sharif at the Prime Minister House in Islamabad, Prabowo reiterated that it was a great honor to receive such a respectful gesture from the government and military of Pakistan.

"Even before making landfall in Pakistan, I was welcomed mid-air by your esteemed Air Force pilots flying JF-17 Thunder aircraft. It was truly an extraordinary honor for me," the president said, repeating his delight at the reception.

Prabowo began his official visit to Pakistan on Monday (December 8), when he was welcomed by several high-level officials at Nur Khan Base Airport in Islamabad, including PM Sharif and President Asif Ali Zardari.

Sharif expressed similar sentiments during the press conference, noting his elation over the opportunity to host Prabowo at his official residence and praising the significance of the visit.

"Welcome to Pakistan, my brother, Mr. President. It is a great pleasure for the government and people of Pakistan, as well as for me personally, to welcome you to Pakistan—your second home—on the visit you initiated yourself," he remarked.

Regarding the jet escort, Sharif stressed that it was not a routine practice but a special gesture for Prabowo as the leader of the world’s largest Muslim-majority nation.

Nevertheless, he emphasized that Pakistan should have done even more, as Prabowo's visit marked the first by an Indonesian leader since Seventh President Joko Widodo seven years ago.

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Translator: Mentari D, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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