The head of state and First Lady Ani Yudhoyono took the salute of mounted members of the Indian Presidential Regiment and a 21-gun salute rendered in their honor.
Indonesia`s national anthem "Indonesia Raya" and India`s national anthem "Jana-Gana-Mana" were played as Yudhoyono and Patil stood on the honorary stage.
The ceremony was concluded with President Yudhoyono inspecting ae guard of honor and later introduced members of the Indonesian delegation to the Indian officials.
The Presidential delegation consists of among others Minister/State Secretary Sudi Silalahi, Industry Minister MS Hidayat, Trade Minister Mari Pangestu, Marine and Fishery Minister Fadel Muhammad, Transportation Minister Freddy Numberi, National Education Minister M nuh, Culture and Tourism Minister Jero Wacik, State Minister of Youth and Sport Affairs Andi Mallarangeng, and Cabinet Minister Dipo Alam.
In response to a press question at the presidential palace, Yudhoyono said he appreciated the invitation as the guest of honor at India`s Republic Day Celebrations and hoped that his visit would result in new economic cooperation opportunities.
The President later laid a wreath at the Samadhi of Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat.
He and his entourage then proceeded to Hyderabad House to attend a bilateral meeting with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, followed by the signing of 16 Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) between India and Indonesia on various sectors such as economic, politic, education and technology.
Yudhoyono is expected also to receive courtesy calls by the Leader of Opposition Shrimati Sushma Swaraj; by the Vice-President of India; and then by Shrimati Sonia Gandhi, Chairperson of UPA.
The president is also scheduled to attend a Business Summit organized by CII, ASSOCHAM and FICCI, in which leading Indian businessmen and industrialists as well as their Indonesian counterparts will participate.
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Editor: AA Ariwibowo
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
