Indonesia expresses desire to expand defence ties with Pakistan

Published January 13, 2026
IndonesiaN Defence Minister retired Lt Gen Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin calls on CDF Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir at GHQ.—Courtesy ISPR
IndonesiaN Defence Minister retired Lt Gen Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin calls on CDF Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir at GHQ.—Courtesy ISPR

RAWALPINDI: Indo­ne­sia has expressed its desi­­re to further expand def­e­nce ties with Pakistan acr­oss multiple domains, the military’s media affairs wing said on Monday.

The development came as Indonesian Defence Mi­­n­ister Lieutenant General (retd) Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin called on Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir at the Gen­er­­al Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi, the Inter-Ser­v­i­ces Public Relations said.

“The meeting focused on matters of mutual inte­rest, evolving regional and global security dynamics, and exploration of avenues for enhancing bilateral def­­­­ence cooperation,” it said.

“Both sides underscored the importance of strengthening institutional linkages, training collaboration and defence industrial cooperation between Pakistan and Indonesia,” it added.

“The visiting dignitary lauded the professionalism of Pakistan’s armed forces and acknowledged their sacrifices in the fight agai­n­­st terrorism. He also exp­ressed Indonesia’s desire to further expand defence ties with Pakistan across multiple domains,” it said.

CDF Field Marshal reaf­­firmed Pakistan’s commitment to fostering a strong and enduring defence rela­­tionship with Indone­sia, based on shared valu­­es, mutual respect, and convergence of strategic interests, the statement concluded.

The development comes months after Indonesian President Prabowo Subian­­to visited Pakistan, with the two countries agreeing to enhance bilateral trade, expand cooperation in health, agriculture, information technology, science and education, and deepen coordination on regional and global issues, including Palestine.

Published in Dawn, January 13th, 2026

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