India, Indonesia resolve to boost defence industrial cooperation
New Delhi, Nov 27 (PTI): India and Indonesia on Thursday reiterated the importance of maintaining a free, open and peaceful Indo-Pacific, guided by international law and respect for sovereignty, against the backdrop of China's growing assertiveness in the region.
In their wide-ranging talks, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and his visiting Indonesian counterpart Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin also broadly agreed to set up a joint defence industry cooperation committee to ensure bilateral collaboration in areas of transfer of military technologies and for supply-chain linkages.
India's experience in submarine development and supply-chain management, including Scorpene-class submarine programme, was acknowledged as highly valuable for Indonesia's future plans, the defence ministry said.
Noting that the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific and India's Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative share relevant fundamental principles, Indonesia reiterated that India remains a key partner in promoting peace and cooperation in the region.
"Both countries committed to enhancing practical cooperation in maritime domain awareness, cyber resilience, and joint operational readiness," the ministry said.
In the talks held in New Delhi, the two sides also reaffirmed the "strong foundation of bilateral defence cooperation, including the defence cooperation agreement and the work of the joint defence cooperation committee", the ministry said.
"Indonesia appreciated India's proposal to establish a joint defence industry cooperation committee to further strengthen collaboration in areas such as technology transfer, joint R&D, certification harmonisation, and supply-chain linkages," it said.
The two sides also highlighted the progress in joint exercises across land, maritime, and air forces.
"Both sides agreed to continue officer exchanges, joint training programs, and visits to defence education institutions to promote interoperability and knowledge sharing," the ministry said.
India and Indonesia also reiterated their commitment to maritime security, including coordination in the Indian Ocean.
Both countries reaffirmed their commitment to a just and lasting peace in Palestine, and acknowledged opportunities for cooperation in humanitarian assistance, post conflict reconstruction, and multilateral peace efforts.
Indonesia reaffirmed its readiness to contribute peacekeeping personnel to Gaza under UN mandate, the defence ministry said in a statement.
New Delhi announced gifting of horses and ceremonial carriage to Indonesia from Indian Army's Remount Veterinary Corps.
Both ministers expressed their satisfaction with the dialogue's outcomes and the need to continue high-level exchanges, practical cooperation, and structured management across multiple areas of defence and security, thereby contributing to peace, stability, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region, the ministry said.
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Talks ended without deal due to 'excessive demands' made by US: Iran
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Islamabad (PTI): The Iran-US talks in Pakistan have ended without a deal due to "excessive demands" made by the American side, a top Iranian official said on Sunday.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei, however, said Iran is determined to utilise all tools, including diplomacy, to secure national interests and protect the country's well-being.
US Vice President JD Vance, who led the American delegation, said the talks failed to reach a peace deal, citing Tehran not forgoing its nuclear programme as one of the key sticking points. He said the American side presented its "final and best offer" to the Iranian side, but it did not accept it.
Baqaei, however, said that the two sides reached a consensus on some issues, but they held different views regarding 2-3 important matters.
He said that during the intensive negotiations that began Saturday morning, with Pakistan's mediation, numerous messages and texts were exchanged between the two sides.
"In the past 24 hours, discussions were held on various dimensions of the main negotiation topics, including the Strait of Hormuz, the nuclear issue, war reparations, lifting of sanctions, and the complete end to the war against Iran and in the region," Baqaei said.
"The success of this diplomatic process depends on the seriousness and good faith of the opposing side, refraining from excessive demands and unlawful requests, and the acceptance of Iran's legitimate rights and interests," he added.
He said it was natural that Iran should not have expected from the beginning to reach an agreement within one meeting. "No one expected that either."
"We have not forgotten and will not forget the experiences of America's breaches of promise and malicious acts," he said.
He thanked Pakistan for hosting the negotiations and for its efforts in advancing this process.
In a brief statement to the media, Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said Pakistan helped mediate several rounds of “intense and constructive” discussions over the past 24 hours.
Expressing hope for progress, Dar said both sides should maintain a positive spirit to achieve durable peace and regional stability.
Dar said Pakistan would continue to play its role in facilitating engagement and dialogue between Iran and the United States in the coming days.
The Iranian delegation, led by Speaker Mohammad Baqir Galibaf, had arrived in Islamabad on Friday night, while the US delegation, headed by Vice President JD Vance, arrived on Saturday morning.
It was the first direct, high-level engagement between Iran and the US since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
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