For India, Indonesia was an important strategic partner with identical history and goals to voice freedom for Asian and African nations.
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - A special envoy of Indonesian President Joko Widodo, A. M. Fachir, visited India to invite Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the Asia-Africa Conference (AAC) and the New Asian-African Strategic Partnership (NAASP).

Director for Asia-Pacific and African Intra-Regional Cooperation of the Foreign Affairs Ministry Benyamin Carnadi said here on Saturday that President Widodo considered India as one of the strategic and primary countries of the region.

In addition, as India was one of the countries that supported the first AAC in 1955, Prime Minister Modis attendance will encourage the spirit of south-south cooperation.

"Moreover, India has shown vibrant economic growth and development of late," Carnadi remarked.

The special envoy to India, A. M. Fachir, who is also the Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, was received by Indian Foreign Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on March 11.

According to a press statement, Fachir conveyed President Jokowis request for Prime Minister Modis attendance and his availability as one of the keynote speakers at the Asian-African Business Summit, one of AACs side events to be held in Jakarta on April 21.

President Widodo also requested that Modi deliver a speech on behalf Asian countries during the commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the AAC in Bandung, West Java, on April 24.

Minister Swaraj noted that the Indian government welcomed the AAC and would convey the invitation to Prime Minister Modi soon after he returned from his visit to Mauritius, Seychelles and Sri Lanka.

For India, Swaraj observed, Indonesia was an important strategic partner with identical history and goals to voice freedom for Asian and African nations.

So far, seventeen countries have confirmed their attendance at the event commemorating the 60th anniversary of the AAC, which is scheduled to be held in Bandung, West Java.(*)

(T.A060/A/KR-BSR/A/H-YH)

Reporter: Azi Fitriyanti
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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