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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Kulkarni became victim of BJP conspiracy as he grew politically in North Karnataka: Shivakumar
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Bengaluru (PTI): Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar claimed on Friday that Congress MLA Vinay Kulkarni, who was sentenced to life imprisonment in a murder case, has become a victim of a BJP conspiracy because he was growing politically in the north Karnataka region.
Stating that he has faith in Kulkarni and believes he has done nothing wrong, he said the former minister will fight the case legally by filing an appeal.
A Bengaluru court on Friday sentenced Kulkarni and fifteen others to life imprisonment in the BJP leader Yogeshgouda Goudar murder case.
On Wednesday, Santhosh Gajanan Bhat, Judge of the Special Court for cases involving elected representatives, convicted Kulkarni and others under various IPC sections, including criminal conspiracy and murder.
“I respect the court. But there was a big conspiracy in this case. When the police were about to file a B-report, the CBI was given the case to harass him (Kulkarni). Vinay Kulkarni has become a victim of a BJP conspiracy as he was growing politically in north Karnataka,” Shivakumar said.
Speaking to reporters in New Delhi, he said Kulkarni has several legal options.
“I have spoken to his family. He swore on God and told me that he had not done anything wrong. I still have faith in him. I feel that he has not done anything wrong. He has an opportunity to file an appeal,” he said, adding that he stands with Kulkarni’s family and supporters and believes he will get justice.
The case pertains to the killing of Goudar, a BJP zilla panchayat member, in Dharwad on June 15, 2016. Kulkarni was a minister at the time. Hired assailants allegedly attacked and hacked Goudar to death in his gym in Saptapur, Dharwad.
Following demands from Goudar’s family and others, the then-BJP government transferred the case to the CBI in 2019.
Veteran BJP leader and former Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa, under whose tenure the case was handed over to the CBI, told reporters in Chikkamagaluru, “I said what I needed to say when the crime happened, and what I said—that the guilty should be punished and justice should be served—has proven true.”
Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru, BJP leader and MLC C T Ravi, reacting to the court order, said, “Justice delayed, but not denied.”
