Indonesia’s President Joko Widodo Accorded Ceremonial Welcome

President Joko Widodo, accompanied by First Lady Iriana, is welcomed by his Indian counterpart Pranab Mukherjee and Prime Minister Narendra Modi  (R) – Indian MEA photo.

New Delhi, 12 Rabi’ul Awwal 1438/11 December 2016 (MINA) – Indonesian President Joko Widodo, who is on a two-day state visit to India from Monday, was accorded a ceremonial welcome at the forecourt of the Rashtrapati Bhawan here.

“Beginning the week with Indonesia. President Joko Widodo receives ceremonial honours at Rashtrapati Bhavan,” Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Vikas Swarup tweeted with photographs.

The Indonesian President was welcomed by his Indian counterpart Pranab Mukherjee and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with whom he would hold bilateral talks later in the day, India Today reported.

Widodo is on his first visit to India after assuming power in October 2014.

Indonesia has emerged to become the second largest trading partner of India in the ASEAN region.

Bilateral trade has increased from USD 6.9 billion in 2007-08 to USD 19.03 billion in 2014-15.

In 2015-16 the bilateral trade fell to USD 9 billion due to global economic situation, fall in commodity prices and less overall imports by Indonesia. (T/R07/R01)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)