Indonesian president departs for India visit

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JAKARTA, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono on Monday departed to India for a working visit, planning to sign over 30 investment deals valued at over 15 billion U.S. dollars, local media reported.

President Yudhoyono would be chief guest at the celebration of India Republic Day on Jan. 26 in New Delhi, and was scheduled to have meetings with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Vice President Mohammad Hamid Ansari, Chairperson of opposition political party Srimathi Sushma Swaraj, and chairperson of coalition party Srimathi Sonia Gandhi, Antara news wire reported here.

The president and the prime minister would witness the signing of agreements in the fields of politics, economy, education, technology and culture.

President Yudhoyono would attend a business forum, which would be attended by over 500 businessmen from both countries.

The investment deal would be valued at 15 billion U.S. dollars covering developments of infrastructure, services and manufacture, President Yudhoyono was quoted by Bisnis.com as saying before leaving for India on Monday.

He said Indonesia was India's second biggest business partner in Southeast Asia.

XINHUA/Indonesian president departs for India visit