ISLAMABAD: Indonesia’s Defence Minister Lt Gen (retired) Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin met Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday and expressed his country’s desire to boost defence ties and explore possible collaboration in defence production.

Pakistan and Indonesia maintain strong bilateral relations rooted in shared religion and culture, with both countries cooperating in trade, education, and health.

Mr Sjamsoeddin called on PM Shehbaz at the PM Office today, where he reiterated Indonesia’s desire to “further strengthen defence ties with Pakistan and to explore possible areas for cooperation, especially in defence production”, according to a statement from government-run PID.

The Indonesian minister conveyed the best wishes of President Prabowo Subianto for the prime minister and people of Pakistan, the press release added.

Indonesian minister meets PM, COAS

PM Shehbaz “reaffirmed Pak­istan’s commitment to explore and expand collaboration with Indonesia in joint ventures of investment in mutually beneficial projects”, the statement said.

He said Pakistan wanted to enhance bilateral cooperation in all avenues, including economic, strategic and trade sectors, along with defence and defence production. He highlighted that Pakistan and Indonesia enjoyed a “longstanding friendship rooted in shared cultural, religious and historical bonds”.

Both sides stressed the importance of “enhancing multifaceted bilateral cooperation”, according to the PID. “The meeting underscored the deep-rooted historical, brotherly and friendly bilateral relations between Pakistan and Indonesia,” the statement noted.

Delegation calls on COAS

Mr Sjamsoeddin, leading a delegation, comprising representatives from various services and intelligence agencies, also called on Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir at General Headquarters.

Both sides exchanged views on bilateral defence collaboration, regional security dynamics and avenues to further strengthen military ties, the ISPR said.

The meeting underscored the longstanding friendship and cooperation between the two countries. Field Marshal Munir highlighted the importance of mutual cooperation in maintaining peace and stability in the region.

The Indonesian minister appreciated Pakistan Army’s role of in fight against terrorism and reaffirmed Indonesia’s commitment to enhancing defence ties.

With input from APP

Published in Dawn, July 16th, 2025