Indonesia, India Seek Closer Maritime Links

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New Delhi, MINA — When Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visits Indonesia in the coming days, the highlight of his trip is likely to be a tour of the strategic Sabang port in Aceh, reports Bernama.

Indonesia’s Coordinating Maritime Affairs Minister Luhut Binsar Panjaitan was in New Delhi last week and held talks on bilateral relations and Modi’s visit.

Luhut, who delivered a lecture on “Indonesia’s Maritime Policy and Thinking of Ways Forward for India-Indonesia as Maritime Neighbours?, said his country might give India access to the deepwater port.

“India and Indonesia have started naval drills in 2017, but we can explore doing more between our coast guards.

This will become even better when the Sabang seaport is established with India. Sabang port has a depth of 40 metres which is good even for submarines,” Luhut was quoted as saying in a Times of India newspaper report.

The Indonesian minister in a meeting with India’s Shipping Minister Nitin Gadkari discussed potential port and infrastructure investments….. (T/RS5/RS1)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)