RI explores IT, defense cooperation with India
RI explores IT, defense cooperation with India
Rendi A. Witular, The Jakarta Post, Bangalore, India
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono touched down on Monday at Bangalore Airport to kick off a three-day visit to India, aiming to seek cooperation in defense and technology and emphasize closer diplomatic and economic ties.
"The visit is mostly aimed at strengthening cooperation in the defense industry and technology sector. Indonesia is lagging behind in reforming these two sectors," Presidential spokesman Dino Patti Djalal told The Jakarta Post.
Fresh from attending the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Busan, South Korea, Susilo started his trip to India by visiting the country's leading aircraft and defense manufacturer Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and the world's giant computer software producer Infosys Technologies Ltd.
At the HAL plant, Susilo observed a display of the Indian- modified Jaguar combat aircraft and the DHRUV combat and logistics helicopter.
Indonesian Air Force Chief of Staff Air Marshall Djoko Suyanto told the Post that the government was seeking to purchase spare parts and missiles from HAL for the country's Russian-made Sukhoi jet fighters.
"We are more interested in the Sukhoi equipment produced by HAL. We may start purchasing equipment from the company in 2007," Djoko said.
Susilo has been traveling around the world to seek defense cooperation agreements in order to gradually detach the country from its dependence on the United States and Britain, which had for years supplied war machines to Indonesia.
The U.S. government scrapped military ties with Indonesia following the 1991 Santa Cruz massacre in Dili, Timor Leste. The embargo meant Indonesia is in need of spare parts for its weaponry. Britain suspended all arms exports to Indonesia in 1999 but resumed them with conditions after the European Union arms embargo was lifted in January 2000.
The U.S. plans to resume full military ties with Indonesia after Congress issues a bill to end a decade-long arms embargo on Indonesia. However, certain conditions apply and it could be some time before the military meets them.
Earlier on the sidelines of the APEC meeting in Korea, Susilo met with Russian President Vladimir Putin, with the two leaders expected to sign a deal in the defense sector and energy later next year during Susilo's visit to Moscow.
During the Infosys headquarter tour, Susilo said his visit was aimed at seeking first-hand information on the operations of the company, as well as learning how the company managed to pioneer India's skyrocketing software exports.
This year, it is estimated India will export about US$17 billion in software products, with Infosys projected to account for at least $4 billion. The company recorded a revenue around $2 billion last year.
On Tuesday, the President is scheduled to have a breakfast meeting with Indian businesspeople grouped in the Confederation of Indian Industry before flying to Agra to visit the Taj Mahal.
Susilo will fly to New Delhi in the evening to meet Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and sign memorandums of understanding on fisheries, education and agriculture.