Indian PM arrives in Jakarta

JP/Alex Lumi

JAKARTA (JP): Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee (left) is welcomed by President Abdurrahman Wahid (right) at Merdeka Palace.

The Indian prime minister arrived here Wednesday afternoon for a four-day state visit.

The two leaders are due to hold official discussions on Thursday morning, after which they will witness the signing of a Defense Agreement, signed by Indonesian Defense Minister Mahfud MD and Indian Minister of State for External Affairs Ajit Kumar Panja.

The event will be followed by a joint press conference.

Earlier on Wednesday night Vajpayee met with Vice President Megawati Soekarnoputri.

On Friday Vajpayee will depart for the holiday resort island of Bali, before returning to India on Sunday. (mds)

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