REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) received Indian Vice President Mohammad Hamid Ansari at the Merdeka Palace here on Monday to discuss various issues.

"During the meeting with the Indian vice president, we discussed economic issues. We view India and Indonesia as two large countries," President Jokowi stated at the Merdeka Palace.

The meeting focused on cooperation in the maritime, education, and pharmaceutical sectors.

"Medicines in India are far cheaper than those in Indonesia. Therefore, we have offered India cooperation (in the pharmaceutical industry)," Jokowi affirmed.

Meanwhile, the Indian vice president proposed the creation of a task force to implement cooperation agreements between the two countries.

"I think this is very practical, so it can be realized soon," Jokowi remarked.

At the meeting, Vice President Ansari also extended an invitation from the Indian prime minister to President Jokowi to visit India, Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno L.P. Marsudi said.

Both countries have also expressed joint commitment to enhance South-South cooperation and increase participation in peacekeeping operations.

In the energy sector, trade between Indonesia and India was valued at US$16.7 billion per year, the minister pointed out.

Indonesia has so far enjoyed a trade surplus with India, particularly from palm oil exports, she revealed.

"Business-to-business relations must be further stepped up in view of the fact that both countries have established close relations since the Non-Aligned Summit," she added.

She said the two countries need to implement a strategic partnership agreement, which will eventually pave the way for stronger business-to-business relations.

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