Diplomat Times Editor Shasi Kumar Engages with Indonesian MFA Director General H.E. Abdul Kadir Jailani to Delve into India-Indonesia Relations
NEW DELHI/JAKARTA (DT) – In a bid to deepen understanding and foster stronger ties between India and Indonesia, Shasi Kumar, Editor of Diplomat Times, recently engaged in discussions with H.E. Abdul Kadir Jailani, Director General(APA) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Indonesia.
The meeting, held at the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Headquarters aimed to explore various facets of the bilateral relationship between the two nations. With India and Indonesia sharing historical, cultural, and economic bonds, DG acknowledged the importance of enhancing cooperation across diverse sectors.
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During the dialogue, Editor Shasi Kumar and Director General Abdul Kadir Jailani exchanged insights on the potential areas of collaboration between India and Indonesia. They emphasized the significance of diplomatic efforts in promoting trade, investment, tourism, and cultural exchanges to further strengthen bilateral relations.
In his speech video, Director General emphasized that Indonesia and India are more than just close friends, but have become special strategic partners.
Q. What initiatives is the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Indonesia undertaking to attract tourists from India ?
Ans. He highlighted that Bali draws a significant number of tourists from India, and our government’s policy of offering free visas to Indian travelers has contributed to an increase in the number of Indian travelers.
Facts. Indonesia is actively developing its tourism sector to significantly contribute to the national GDP. In 2022, the sector accounted for about 3.6 percent of GDP, equivalent to US$6.7 billion.
For 2024, Indonesia aims for 9.5 to 14.3 million foreign arrivals, aiming to contribute approximately 220 trillion rupiah (US$14.1 billion) to GDP.
The tourism industry presents lucrative opportunities for foreign investors, with a projected annual growth rate of 12.03 percent until 2026. This growth is driven not only by foreign tourists but also by domestic travelers. Infrastructure development and a growing middle class are key factors fueling the rise in domestic tourism. Indonesia recorded 734 million domestic trips in 2022, marking nearly a 20 percent increase from 2021.
Q. Were there any economic gains for Indonesia during its G20 presidency?
Ans. Yes, Indonesia experienced various economic benefits during its G20 presidency, including increased international visibility and opportunities for investment.
The economic gains for Indonesia during its G20 presidency were significant, contributing to enhanced trade relations and diplomatic stature on the global stage.
Indonesia’s G20 presidency led to economic advantages such as improved access to global markets and strengthened partnerships with other member countries.
Indeed, Indonesia benefited economically from its G20 presidency through initiatives aimed at promoting sustainable development and fostering economic cooperation among member nations.
Insights into the Family of Director General Abdul Kadi
As the conversation veered towards personal anecdotes, our editor gently broached the topic of family. With a candid smile, the seasoned diplomat revealed that he is a proud father of two sons, showcasing the human side behind his diplomatic persona.
“Galance the Life of H.E. Abdul Kadir Jailani Before His Appointment as Director General for Asia Pacific and Africa”
Abdul Kadir Jailani, the current Director General for Asia Pacific and Africa at the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has been honored with the prestigious award for Best Ambassador in Southeast Asia during his tenure in Ottawa, Canada.
Before assuming his current role, Abdul Kadir Jailani served as the Indonesian Ambassador to Canada, where he exhibited exceptional diplomatic skills and fostered strong ties between Indonesia and Canada. His dedication to promoting bilateral relations and advancing mutual interests earned him recognition as an exemplary ambassador in Southeast Asia.
Renowned for his distinguished white hair, Abdul Kadir Jailani is esteemed as a skilled negotiator and diplomat, known for his adept use of social media in diplomatic endeavors.
During his tenure in Ottawa, Abdul Kadir Jailani played a pivotal role in strengthening diplomatic cooperation between Indonesia and Canada across various sectors, including trade, education, culture, and tourism. His efforts contributed significantly to enhancing the partnership between the two countries and deepening understanding between their peoples.
Prior to his ambassadorial role in Canada, Abdul Kadir Jailani also served as the Permanent Representative of Indonesia to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), further showcasing his expertise and commitment to international diplomacy.
Throughout his distinguished career at the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Abdul Kadir Jailani has held key positions, including Director of Economic and Socio-Cultural Agreements and Deputy Director of Political and Security Agreements. His notable accomplishments have underscored Indonesia’s proactive engagement in regional and global affairs.
Abdul Kadir Jailani’s recognition as the Best Ambassador in Southeast Asia reflects his exemplary service, diplomatic finesse, and unwavering commitment to advancing Indonesia’s interests on the international stage. His contributions continue to inspire and set a high standard for diplomatic excellence in the region and beyond.
He shared insights about his diplomatic career with editor Kumar and said journey within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had been remarkable. Having completed his education from elementary school to university in East Java, he pursued his diploma education in Jakarta after college.
Commencing his career as a foreign service officer (diplomat) within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Jailani assumed various pivotal roles. From diplomatic postings in the Netherlands to serving as an expert in disarmament at the United Nations in Geneva, his assignments were diverse. Subsequently, he assumed responsibilities at the Security Council in New York City, further enhancing his diplomatic expertise.
The historical background of relations between India and Indonesia
India and Indonesia established diplomatic relations in 1951. Both countries are neighbours, India’s Andaman and Nicobar Islands share a maritime border with Indonesia along the Andaman Sea.
The Indian-Indonesian relationship stretches back for almost two millennia. In 1950, the first President of Indonesia, Sukarno, called upon the peoples of Indonesia and India to “intensify the cordial relations” that had existed between the two countries “for more than 1000 years” before they had been “disrupted” by colonial powers.
India has an embassy in Jakarta and Indonesia operates an embassy in Delhi. India regards Indonesia as a key member of ASEAN. Both nations had agreed to establish a strategic partnership. The two countries have significant bilateral trade.
India and Indonesia are among the largest democracies in the world. Both are member states of the G-20, the E7 (countries), the Non-aligned Movement, and the United Nations.
Some contents From Wikipedia and Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Indonesia
Manvir/Rias Mansuri reported from Jakarta, and Roshan from New Delhi.