EMBASSY OF INDIA, JAKARTA
Press Release
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58th Anniversary of the 1955 Asian-African Conference
19 April 2013, at Gedung Merdeka, Bandung

Reviving the spirit of solidarity and partnership among the Asian-African nations

Speech by Ambassador H.E. Mr Gurjit Singh

The Bandung spirit was the light through which many developing nations cast off the shackles of colonialism mainly between the first and second NAM Summits. Much of the colonized world has become free. Their political liberation meant seeking a seat in the United Nations and acceptance into the Non-Aligned Movement. These external symbols of national identity were valued and particularly the NAM, fostered the Bandung Spirit in full measure.

India's foreign policy also carried forward the torch of the Bandung Spirit in several ways. Our unflinching support for decolonization and the independence of all countries continued unabated including the close engagement with South Africa for its emergence into the comity of nations. Our association with Indonesia in particular to take the Bandung Spirit forward has been well recorded.

The Bandung Spirit today has to take into account the necessary changes required in both the UN and NAM. Today the international order needs to be revitalized to bring all countries into better positions of contributing to the maintenance of world peace and development. The restructuring of the UN therefore is an important aspect for which the Bandung Spirit continues to glow. Similarly, the solidarity of NAM has followed into many new issues mainly focusing on a better control of resources and their distribution in the world for developing countries. Thus, we work together in the WTO, in the G-20, in Climate Change talks and in many modern manifestations of the Bandung Spirit. The Bandung Spirit showed us the light to reach out for common goals keeping our national point of view.

Another salient aspect of the Bandung Spirit in the current world is South South Cooperation. India launched its Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) programme in 1964 and today it covers around 250 courses and trains more than 6000 people from 150 countries. This is India's way of sharing its own experience in the development of a pluralistic democratic polity with developing countries. This spirit has been further carried forward through an extension of scholarships for studies in India and to a greater implementation of new programme of cooperation with Asia and Africa. Our cooperation with ASEAN, of which we celebrated 20 years of dialogue partnership last year, has grown rapidly. Nearly US$ 70 million has been committed by India to the India ASEAN Fund, the Science and Technology Fund and the Green Fund. Similarly, nearly US$700 million has been set aside for Africa in grants to support capacity building institutions in Africa. India is currently in the process of establishing 100 new institutions in Africa and 8 new institutions in ASEAN countries mainly Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos and Myanmar. In addition, nearly USD 10 billion in soft loans are on offer to countries in Asia and Africa. Most importantly, in order to ensure that trade and investment support the grant programmes, India had announced in 2008 a duty free tariff preference scheme for LDCs across the world. This has contributed to an enhanced access of LDCs to India's growing market.

We believe that the Bandung Spirit shone a new light on a new path for all of us assembled here today. We believe that the path has been traversed and we have reached many forks on it. We have all chosen different paths on that developing road but essentially the highway remains the same.

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EMBASSY OF INDIA, JAKARTA
Press Release
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Indian Parliamentary Delegation In Indonesia On A Goodwill Visit

A ten member high powered Parliamentary delegation from India led by Mr. Kamal Nath, Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs & Urban Development arrived in Jakarta on 11 April 2013 on a five day goodwill visit to Indonesia. The ten member delegation includes, besides the Union Minister, the Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of North Eastern Region and Parliamentary Affairs, Mr.  Paban Singh Ghatowar, and eight Members of Parliament representing various political parties.

The delegation called on H.E. Prof Dr. Boediono, Vice President of Republic of Indonesia on 12th April 2013. Vice President welcomed the visit of the high powered delegation and highlighted the need for closer cooperation between the two parliaments. As two large democracies, Vice President added, both faced similar challenges and emphasized the need to work with each other to address these challenges.

Mr. Kamal Nath, Minister for Parliamentary Affairs & Urban Development, later called on Mr. Gita Wirjawan, Minister of Trade, Republic of Indonesia. Both sides reviewed the status of bilateral economic ties and called for enhanced economic engagement. They also discussed the forthcoming WTO ministerial meeting to be hosted by Indonesia.

Earlier yesterday, the delegation met the Chairman of People's Consultative Assembly (MPR), Mr. Taufiq Kiemas, and Chairman of People's Representative Council (DPD), Mr. Imran Gusman and Commission I of the Indonesian Parliament. In the meetings, Mr. Kamal Nath, Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs & Urban Development, conveyed the warm greetings from the people of India and said that India and Indonesia have always shared historical and civilization ties since times immemorial which have been further reinforced by high level visits by both sides, the most recent being the visit of the President of Republic of Indonesia for the India-ASEAN Summit.  Both sides discussed issues of mutual concern including strengthening the linkages between the two parliaments and regular exchange of visits. Mr. Kamal Nath hoped that the delegation will benefit immensely from their interaction with their counterparts and contribute towards enhanced understanding between the two countries.

The India Business Forum (IBF) hosted an interactive session for the Parliamentary delegation on 11 April 2013. IBF was launched in July 2012 for enhancement of economic engagement with Indonesia.

The visit of the Indian parliamentary delegation to Indonesia has helped in bringing the two countries closer by reinforcing the existing warm and friendly ties enjoyed by both countries and strengthening of institutional linkages.

The delegation would be leaving for Bali for the second leg of the visit and would be calling on the Governor of Bali and other dignitaries.

12th April 2013

EMBASSY OF INDIA, JAKARTA
Press Release
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India and Indonesia to Enhance Collaboration in Agricultural Sector

A high level delegation consisting of officials and experts from the Ministries of Agriculture and Food Processing of India visited Indoneisa for the 2nd meeting of India-Indonesia Joint Working Group on Agriculture on 26-27 March 2013 in Bali. The meeting was held in pursuance of the MoU between the two countries signed in December 2008 for Cooperation in the field of Agriculture.

During the meeting, the two sides agreed to enhance collaboration, through projects, in the area of animal science, horticulture, natural resources management, agricultural engineering, crop science and food processing industry as well as capacity building through exchange of scientists.

As both India and Indonesia face similar challenges and have similar priorities in the agricultural sector, increased bilateral cooperation and sharing of experiences in the agricultural sector will immensely benefit both the countries.

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1 April 2013

EMBASSY OF INDIA, JAKARTA
Press Release
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CULINARY CONNECTIONS – INDIA INDONESIA

India and Indonesia have shared close cultural ties for two millennia. This shared culture is to be found in every aspect of our contemporary lives. In the Epics –Ramayana and Mahabharata, our languages, sculpture, wood carving, ceramics, paintings, textiles, customs and rituals.

In an attempt to explore the links between the culinary traditions of India and Indonesia, the Embassy of India organised a show titled 'Culinary Connections – India and Indonesia' on 28th March 2013 at Four Seasons Hotel Jakarta. The show featured talks and lives cooking by Celebrity Chef William Wongso of Aku Cinta Masakan Indonesia and Nina Taneja. This event was attended by several high ranking people from the Government of Indonesia and the diplomatic community.

In his opening remarks Ambassador Gurjit Singh described the historical relations that India has with Indonesia. The relationship is getting stronger by the day. Such events go a long way in bringing to light the closeness of the lives of common people in both countries.

The two chefs tried to draw comparisons between the culinary traditions of the two countries. It was amazing to see the similarities in the use of spices and cooking styles that were brought out. Master Chef William Wongso expressed great satisfaction that such an event was organized by the Embassy of India and felt that it is the best expression of the wonderful ties between the two countries. The audience present sampled the dishes cooked at the event and marveled at show.

Among those present included Miss India-Indonesia Shirinjit Kaur and several prominent Indonesians and Indians. The show was covered by 7 news channels and large sections of the media.

EMBASSY OF INDIA, JAKARTA
Press Release
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INDIAN COMPANIES PARTICIPATE IN INAPA

The India Pavilion at INAPA, where a number of Indian engineering and automotive parts companies are participating, was inaugurated by First Secretary Mr. Rakesh K. Arora. Their participation has been organized by the Embassy of India, Jakarta, in cooperation with the Engineering Export Promotion Council (EEPC).

At the exhibition, the Indian companies will showcase their expertise and capabilities as well as latest technology in India's automotive parts sector.

India's exports in the automotive sector have seen remarkable growth of 95% (yoy) in 2011-12 from US$ 58 million to US$ 113 million. As Indian companies are technologically sound, they will find more avenues for exports in the vast Indonesian market. Indonesia has the third largest consumers of motor vehicles, after China and Indi

EMBASSY OF INDIA, JAKARTA
Press Release
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LARGE PARTICIPATION BY INDIAN COMPANIES IN PHARMA EXHIBITION

This year's Convention of Pharmaceutical Ingredients – South East Asia (CPhI-SEA) held in Jakarta on 20-22 March 2013 saw participation by 39 Indian pharmaceutical SMEs. These companies represented various segments of the pharmaceutical industry ranging from APIs and generics to machinery and packaging.

Major Indian companies in the CPhI-SEA included Morepen Labs, SG Pharma, ACG Group, Sterile India, Thermolab Scientific Equipments, Borosil Glass Works Brothers Pharmamach, Healthcaps, etc. The large presence of Indian pharmaceutical companies at the exhibition reflected the growing B2B engagement between the two countries and the region. Our exports of pharmaceuticals to Indonesia reached about US$ 75 million in 2011-12 from US$ 44 million in 2008-09.

India's pharmaceutical industry, valued presently at more than US$ 25 billion, has gained recognition as the global pharmacy of the world on account of being able to prove quality generic medicines at affordable price. It has been recognized as a reliable source for bulk drugs (APIs), drug intermediates and formulations (generics), pharmaceutical machinery and packaging.

Ambassador of India Mr. Gurjit Singh is hopeful of early policy reforms by the Indonesian Government which will enable Indian companies to invest in this sector in Indonesia. He said that since Indian pharmaceutical products are affordable and of high standards, India can contribute immensely to the growth of pharmaceutical industry in Indonesia. This would result in meeting the increasing demandof pharmaceuticals at competitive prices once the Indonesian Government initiates the social insurance cover for its population.

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25 March 2013

EMBASSY OF INDIA, JAKARTA
Press Release
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INDIAN AMBASSADOR CALLS FOR MORE INVESTMENT AND BUSINESS COLLABORATIONS WITH INDONESIA

Ambassador of India Mr. Gurjit Singh today exhorted the Indonesian companies to invest in India, adding that Indian economic partnership including investment in Indonesia has the potential to grow from the present US$20 billion to US$ 100 billion. Addressing the India-Indonesia Investment Roundtable, organized jointly with KADIN Indonesia and INVEST INDIA, he said that there are abundant opportunities for Indonesian companies to invest in India. He further said that Indonesian companies especially in the food processing and construction sector have strength and capability to invest in India.

Ambassador Gurjit Singh called upon increasing B2B engagement for enhancing bilateral business and investment cooperation which would lead to transfer of technology. He said that while there is need for more manufacturing units for inclusive development and creation of employment opportunities, this would require human resource and capacity development. Citing success stories of Indian joint ventures in Indonesia, he said that they have followed a model which generates employment and contributes to exports.

Promising to work together with Indonesia, he said several initiatives are needed by Indonesia for enhanced bilateral economic engagement, the most important being the initiation of CECA consultations. Other priorities should include more B2B engagement, highlight success stories, create level playing field, create dispute settlement mechanism and look for investment opportunities in India. He also hoped for an early realization of direct flight between the two countries which will go a long way in increased private sector interaction.

Mr. Suryo Sulisto, KADIN Chairman, while mentioning about excellent relations between the two countries, said that Indonesia can learn from strong industrial sector in India and welcomed engagement with companies and universities that might facilitate technological cooperation, scientific research and production of sophisticated equipment and technologies. He added that the focus sector of the Roundtable i.e. infrastructure, food processing and automotive components, are all key sectors in Indonesia and encouraged strong B2B partnerships.

The Investment Roundtable was also attended by Dr. Prasetijono Widjojo, Deputy Minister for Economic Affairs in the State Ministry of National Development Planning (BAPPENAS). He shared the medium term development plan for 2010-2014 which has 14 national development priorities, including improvement of investment and business climate. He said that as Indonesia is very much concerned with increasing investment to sustain economic growth and increasing distribution of investment across regions to reduce inequality.

The Investment Roundtable showcased immense potential for investment in India and sought more investments from Indonesia. The Indian Business Delegation presented opportunities for investment and collaboration for Indonesian companies in the food processing sector, especially in the food parks and in the auto components space. The Roundtable also discussed opportunities for collaboration in the infrastructure sector.

The Investment Roundtable elaborated investor-friendly policies of the Government of India and provided a platform for mutually beneficial interactive session with Indonesian business community.

An 11-member Business Delegation led by INVEST INDIA is in Indonesia and took part in the Investment Roundtable which was attended by more than 100 businessmen from Indonesia. Major Indian business groups like IL&FS and GMR are part of the delegation alongwith Automotive Components Manufacturers Association and Karnataka State.

During their visit to Jakarta, the Indian Business Delegation also interacted with senior officials of the Indonesian Ministry of Trade and with researchers in ERIA. The delegation also made a field trip to the Indofood factory.

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EMBASSY OF INDIA, JAKARTA
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IJNICC now offering Bharatnatyam Course

Bharatnatyam
Every Saturday 1 PM – 3 PM

• Aduvus – the student begins by learning the basic steps that forms the foundation for the dancer.
• Introduction to Hastas – various mudras (hand gestures) to match the aduvus.
  
• Pushpanjali – an invocatory dance item, literally meaning "An offering of flowers"
  
• Introduction to Navarasa – the nine varied emotions used in dance. {Examples:
• Shringara – love, Veera- heroism, Roudra – Anger}
• Preparation for a Vandana – a dance item in praise of the Lord

• Advance Aduvus – the dancer proceeds to learn more intricate steps and combine them to form a jati.
• Introduction to Alarippu– an invocatory item where the dancer begins with neck movements and proceeds to form symmetric hand and foot movements ending with vibrant footwork.
  
• Understanding the importance of Bhava (Emotions), Raga (Music) and Taala (Rhythm).
  
• Padam – a pure abhinaya item theat involves using only facial expressions to convey a story with the help pf beautiful lyrical songs.
  
• Kollata – A folk dance of south India usually performed during Diwalli.

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Consulate General of India Bali
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PRESS RELEASE

Renewed focus on enhancing educational cooperation with Bali
and Beyond

During an event held yesterday by the Consulate General of India in Bali, in collaboration with the Institut Hindu Dharma Negeri (IHDN) Denpasar, the Ambassador of India to Indonesia, H.E. Mr. Gurjit Singh, highlighted the series of initiatives launched by the Embassy in Jakarta and the Consulates in Bali and Medan for enhancing educational cooperation with Indonesian academic community and students. He elaborated on a number of scholarship schemes offered by the Government of India for the Indonesian students and lecturers to pursue higher education in Indian universities, including research under M. Phil and Ph.D as also Post-Doctoral research under Junior & Senior Fellowships. He informed that over 120 scholarships are offered annually to Indonesia. Ambassador informed that with our persuasions, some airlines considering to provide a direct flight connection between India and Indonesia during the current year. As suggested by the Prof. Dr. Titib, it was noted that an institute offering IT/ICT education may be set up in Bali with participation of private sector from Indonesia and India.

This was the first-ever gathering in Bali of alumni of Indian universities and academicians, scholars, senior government representatives, prominent representatives of Balinese art & culture community and dignitaries, among others, organized by the year-old Consulate General of India in Bali.

Dr. Tjokorda Oka Artha Ardhana Sukawati, Head of the Bali Chapter of Hotels & Restaurants Association of Indonesia and a prominent member of the royal family of Ubud as well as the former Regent of the Province of Gianyar, was the Chief Guest. Prof. Dr. I Made Bakta, Rector of Udayana participated as the Guest of Honour, besides the Vice Rector of Dhyanapura University and ISI Denpasar. The members of consular corps based in Bali attended the event besides representatives of tourism organizations and hotels.

The event was held with the active support of the Institut Hindu Dharma Negeri Denpasar, whose Rector, Prof. Dr. I Made Titib, himself is an eminent alumni of Indian educational system. IHDN Denpasar is the largest and a premier State institution under the Ministry of Religious Affairs of Indonesia imparting education on Hindu religion, philosophy, theology and social and culture sciences. With three faculties, two Master programmes and a Ph.D programme, it has nearly 5000 students and over 125 lecturers in different departments. Several of its lecturers have studied in Indian universities and it has cooperation agreements with a couple of universities and cultural studies institution in India.

The alumni spoke very warmly of their learning experiences in India and elaborated on their immense intellectual growth and exposure gained in India during the course of their study. A large number of the alumni are currently working as professors, lecturers, heads of provincial government departments and in prominent art & culture institutions as well as in tourism industry.

Earlier, documentary depicting cultural similarities in Bali and India, in particular Northeast India was shown to an appreciative audience followed by scintillating fusion dance performances by Ms. Aparajita Sarma, Dance Teacher from Indian Cultural Centre in Bali and Balinese dances by the students of IHDN Denpasar. The renowned Indonesian artiste, Trie Utami, also enthralled the audience.

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EMBASSY OF INDIA, JAKARTA
Press Release
***

INDIAN AMBASSADOR LEADS A BUSINSS DELEGATION
TO EAST JAVA AND MEETS GOVERNOR

Ambassador of India H.E. Mr. Gurjit Singh met H.E. Mr. Soekarwo, Governor of East Java Province and said that his visit's main focus was on investment, capacity building and transfer of technology. He added that Indian companies are keen to invest more in Indonesia. This is the second visit of Ambassador Singh in the last nine months. He had earlier visited Surabaya in June 2012.

The Ambassador and his delegation was extended a very warm and traditional welcome at the Governor House Grahadi. The Ambassador is leading a 14-member India Business Forum delegation as also an Indian Cultural Troupe to Surabaya.

During the meeting, the Governor appreciated efforts of the Ambassador in working towards increasing business relations with East Java and bringing a business and cultural delegation.

The meeting was followed by a Business Roundtable of IBF delegation with the East Java Investment Board and KADIN. At the Roundtable, the Indian delegation made presentations on various sectors of interest to East Java, like infrastructure, power and IT.

The Roundtable was also addressed by Mr. Warno Harisasono, Chairman, East Java Investment Board and KADIN JATIM Vice Chairman for International Trade Promotion. In its presentation about potential of investment in East Java, the Investment Board mentioned about opportunities in various sectors, like infrastructure, mining, energy, oil and gas, geothermal, automotive parts, food processing, chemical, metal and machines, electronics, etc. While appreciating the visit of the delegation, Mr. Warno promised to extend all possible assistance to the investors from India.

In his concluding remarks, Ambassador Singh said that he would like to expand bilateral business and trade relations by investing more in Indonesia. Several Indian companies have already invested in East Java. He called upon the Investment Board to provide more details of the infrastructure projects for clarity on the terms of investment. He said that the need of the hour is to set up manufacturing base for value addition.

A dinner in honour of the Ambassador and his delegation was hosted by Mr. Warno Harisasono, Chairman, East Java Investment Board. The dinner was attended by prominent local dignitaries and businessmen from East Java.

A Slice of India Show was also organized by the Embassy of India at the University of 17 August 1945. The Show was attended by more than 500 students. The Show presented the soft power of India in culture and included various interesting activities like, dance, music, yoga, etc. The Show is also scheduled to take place at Spins International School in Surabaya on 15 March.

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EMBASSY OF INDIA, JAKARTA
Press Release
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Know India Seminar to update info on tourism in India

A Seminar on Indian Tourism –‘Know India Series’ on the theme of Incredible India- was held in Jakarta on 7th March 2013 jointly  by India Tourism Board and  Embassy of India, Jakarta.

The event was attended by over 150 people including  travel agents based in Indonesia, representatives of airline industry, hotels, diplomatic community, media and other stakeholders in the tourism industry.

‘Know India series’ is a programme which seeks to inform in an interactive manner on the exciting travel destinations in India, the various tour packages available which includes, among others, specialised packages like Adventure, Wild Life, Ski, Water sports, Mountaineering, Pilgrimage, Cusine, Medical, Ayurveda, Bollywood, Spiritual, and Buddhisht circuit. Ms. Madhu Dubey, Regional Director of India Tourism Board, Sydney, gave a detailed presentation on the various packages

A slide show on obtaining Indian visa was presented by the Indian Embassy. Indonesians travelling to India can obtain Indian visas within 24 hrs of applying for visa. Indonesians also have the facility of obtaining Visa on Arrival at four airports in India viz Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkatta and Chennai.

Speaking on the occassion, Ambassdor Gurjit Singh said one has to experince India first hand to know how incredible India is in terms of diversity of culture, history, travel destinations, religions, climate and the like. He said that multitude of  specialised tour packages available in India suited to all budgets presented a choice of plenty for Indonesians travellers. He stated that efforts have been made by the India Tourism Board to devise a special package on historical Muslim shrines/monuments for those Indonesians who wish to combine this package while proceeding to Haj/Umrah. Medical Tourism and the Buddhist circuit were other potential areas, he added.  Ambassador Gurjit Singh also indicated that the Embassy of India and the India Tourism Board were planning to institute an annual award for the best performing travel agent in Indonesia who sends maximum Indonesian tourists to India. On the issue of direct air links to India, Ambassador Gurjit Singh said he was hopeful for its early realization as it would have a direct bearing on both inbound and outbound tours.

In an interactive game session, members of the audience participated enthusiastically on how to drape a Saree, India’s national dress and also how to dance Bollywood style which drew wide applause from the audience. Bollywood package is one of the popular tour packages in India which takes the traveler on a tour to Film City in Mumbai for live shooting of Indian films and also gets a chance to meet some famous film stars of Bollywood.

The Seminar concluded with a panel discussion by India enthusiasts who narrated their travel experience in India.

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8th March 2013

EMBASSY OF INDIA, JAKARTA
Press Release
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Commemoration of Indian Technical Economic Cooperation ( ITEC) Day

The ITEC Day was celebrated at the Embassy of India, Jakarta, on 1st March 2013 to commemorate India's South-South Cooperation with Indonesia.

The Chief Guest of the function was H.E. Mr. H.S. Dillon, Presidential Envoy for Poverty Alleviation., Republic of Indonesia. A large number of ITEC trainees who had undergone training in various disciplines, Ambassadors, bureaucrats, defence personnel and the media attended the celebrations.

In his opening remarks, Ambassador Gurjit Singh gave a brief overview of the ITEC programme. He said that ITEC programme initiated in 1964 has come a long way since then and today it caters to over 300 different short term programmes in various disciplines such as English training, IT, Rural Development, Agriculture, Elections, Banking, Capital markets, Journalism etc which are imparted by 200 professional Institutes. He said that ITEC programme was one of the major initiatives of India towards capacity building and showed India's keenness to share its developmental gains with a large number of countries as part of South-South cooperation. With particular reference to Indonesia, Ambassador said, that ITEC programmes has successfully trained over 1500 Indonesians in different disciplines, including civilian and defence, since its inception in Indonesia in 1994 and presently over 100 slots allotted to Indonesia are filled in successfully each year. Ambassador also mentioned as part of the programme, two Vocational Training Centres in Construction Sector established in joint cooperation with Indonesia are successfully running in Jakarta and Banda Aceh.

Delivering the Keynote address, H.E. H.S. Dillon, Presidential Envoy for Poverty Alleviations, acknowledged the significant contribution of ITEC programme towards training Indonesians nationals and providing them an opportunity to tap into India's technological strides. He said that India has served as a shining example of a nation which rode the waves of globalisation to garner the greatest benefits for its people. He urged Indonesia to make the best out of the opportunities provided by the Government of India by acquiring the technological and entrepreneurial skills and then upon their return to Indonesia create value added services and contribute to the overall development of Indonesia. He called upon the Indonesian ITEC trainees to form an Alumni to advise prospective participants on the potential fields of study under ITEC programme and play a meaningful role in strengthening the Strategic Partnership between India and Indonesia. He concluded by saying that ITEC will continue to strengthen the bilateral cooperation between the two countries and generate new forms of technical cooperation, not only between India and Indonesia, but also with other developing countries as a symbol of South-South Cooperation.

An ITEC Alumni, Col Dr. Pasenga Talilah, also narrated his fruitful experience in the National Defence College course which he attended.

Earlier, an educational film on India-Nirvana and Beyond encapsulating India's journey from the past to the present was shown to an appreciative audience followed by a scintillating Kathak performance by Ms. Pratishta, Dance teacher from Jawaharlal Nehru Cultural Centre, Jakarta. The ITEC Day concluded with an interesting Quiz Competition on the common heritage shared between India and Indonesia.

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2nd March 2013
Jakarta

EMBASSY OF INDIA

JAKARTA

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SALE OF PHOTOCOPIER

The Embassy of India invites sealed bids for disposal of old photocopier TOSHIBA e-studio 16 (2001) on ‘as is where is’ basis. The item can be inspected with prior appointment at address: Jl. H.R.Rasuna Said, Kav.S-1, Kuningan, Jakarta Selatan – 12950.

Interested parties may contact telephone numbers 021-5204191, or 5204150 extn:35 for appointment and inspection of the item.

P.K.Gupta
Head of Chancery
Date: 22/2/13

EMBASSY OF INDIA, JAKARTA
Press Release
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Presentation of Credentials by Ambassador Gurjit Singh to the
President of Timor Leste

The new Ambassador of India to Timor Leste with residence in Jakarta, Mr. Gurjit Singh, presented his credentials to H.E Mr. Taur Matan Ruak, President of the Democratic republic of Timor Leste, on 13 February 2013 in an impressive ceremony at the Presidential Palace in Dili, capital of Timor Leste. The Ambassador conveyed to the President of Timor Leste the warm greetings and valued friendship from the President of India as well from the people and Government of India. Ambassador touched upon the friendly relations that existed between India and Timor Leste. Ambassador mentioned that India was among the first countries to recognize Timor Leste’s independence in 2002. He also praised the Government of Timor Leste for their role in striving for economic and political stability in the country.

President Taur Matan Ruak in his remarks said that they value India as a great democracy which has developed admirably and looked forward to continuing to learn from its experience which it had so willingly shared. He explained the priorities of the new Government which had won elections and was confident of leading the country since the departure of UN at the end of 2012.

Ambassador Gurjit Singh also called on the Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Health, Education, Public Works, Petroleum & Natural Resources and IT. During his meetings, bilateral issues of mutual interest were discussed. Ambassador urged exchange of ministerial visits between the two countries and in this context welcomed the visit of Dr. Sergio G.C Lobo, Minister of Health in March 2013 and Ms. Natalia de Araujo, Vice Minister of Health for Ethics & Service Delivery to India in February 2013. The opportunities offered by India under the 10 training slots of the ITEC programme and 10 scholarships for graduate studies were conveyed to each Ministry so that the Indian offers could be utilized by Timorese nationals to their best advantage. He also offered one trainee position for Timor Leste diplomat for training at the Foreign Service Institute of India.

During his visit, Ambassador announced that India’s private sector is willing to play a role in Timor Leste’s nation building efforts by participating in sectors like infrastructure, agriculture, food processing, IT etc. He urged the Timor Leste government to showcase the opportunities available for Indian investors. He welcomed their participation at international trade fairs and business conclaves to this end.

The Ambassador conveyed the Government of India’s desire to engage with development efforts in Timor Leste. Towards this objective, Ambassador noted the successful implementation of the development package of US$ 100,000/- to the Government of Timor Leste for economic and social development given two years ago.

Ambassador Gurjit Singh also met with the 50-strong Indian community in Dili and discussed with them India’s desire to work closely with Timor Leste for its development. The Indian community has been participating in the development programmes of Timor Leste and have committed themselves to continue this effort. The Embassy has also proposed closer linkages with them on a regular basis and address issues of interest to them including consular access. The Ambassador said with the opening of the Consulate in Bali, which has a direct air link with Dili, these services would be streamlined and offered in a more timely and efficient manner. The members of the Indian community thanked the Ambassador for his effort to engage with them as such a meeting has taken place for the first time.

EMBASSY OF INDIA, JAKARTA
Press Release
***

A grand reception was hosted by the Embassy of India in Jakarta on 28th January 2013 to mark the 64th Republic Day of India. The event was attended by a large gathering of over 1000 people. The attendees included representatives of political parties, bureaucracy, defence, education, culture, media, Ambassadors/other diplomats and Indians/PIO's residing in Indonesia.

H.E. Mr. Wardana, Hon'ble Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Indonesia was the Chief Guest on the occasion. The other prominent guests in the Reception were Mr. Le Luong Minh, Secretary General ASEAN and Mr. H.S. Dhillon, Presidential Special Envoy for Poverty Alleviation.

The event started with the rendering of the National Anthem of India and Indonesia by school children of Gandhi International Memorial School. A dazzling Kathak dance performance by Ms. Prathishta, teacher at Jawaharlal Nehru Indian Cultural Centre (JNICC) followed which enthralled the large audience. Earlier a violin recital by Mr. Johar Ali, music teacher of JNICC, regaled the audience with a melodious rendition of Indian ragas and patriotic songs.

Speaking on the occasion, Ambassador Gurjit Singh mentioned that India and Indonesia relations have been on the upswing, politically and economically. The year 2012 had seen high level visits from both sides including the visit of Hon'ble President of Indonesia for the ASEAN-India Summit at New Delhi. Indian investment into Indonesia has been increasing and there were exciting possibilities for Indian companies for tie ups and to participate in PPP business model in Indonesia. Referring to the outreach activities, Ambassador said that the year 2012 has been significant as the commemorative events, in connection with the ASEAN-India Summit, provided the Embassy an opportunity to showcase various events like visit of Sailing Ship INS Sudarshini, ASEAN India Car Rally, business/academic seminars, cultural performance in many regions of Indonesia. These events, he added, have reinforced the existing close ties between the two countries by strengthening people to people contacts. He added that tourism is going to be the focal point this year. He also complimented the role of Indian community in Indonesia in building bridges of freindship with people of Indonesia.

A short documentary titled "Nirvana and beyond-an Indian journey" which traces five thousand years of India's history and culture by showcasing the diversity of its terrain, wildlife, religions and people was shown to an appreciative audience.

EMBASSY OF INDIA, JAKARTA
Press Release
***

Republic Day celebrations at Embassy of India, Jakarta

The 64th Republic Day was marked at the Embassy of India in Jakarta, the Consulate General of India in Bali and the Consulate General of India in Medan with traditional gaiety and fervour. The Ambassador of India, H.E. Mr Gurjit Singh hoisted the National Flag at the Embassy premises and similar ceremonies took place at the Consulates.

Nearly 400 members of the Indian community, PIOs and Friends of India participated in the ceremony. About 150 school children from 3 Indian schools, Gandhi Memorial International School, the Rama International School and Texmaco DPS School sang the National Anthem and patriotic songs. The President’s address was read out by the Ambassador and the Consuls General in the respective places.

A new publication “Yoga for beginners and Intermediate level” brought out by Embassy of India and Jawaharlal Nehru Cultural Centre, Jakarta, was released by Ambassador on the occasion. The handbook sets out to inform in a lucid way the various postures of Yoga and gives clear and precise introduction to Asanas, Pranayam and meditation techniques.

Later, Ambassador interacted with members of Indian community to ascertain their welfare and gave a broad overview of various functions scheduled to be held by the Indian Embassy over the next few months. A sumptuous feast of Indian food delicacies was served to the vast gathering.

EMBASSY OF INDIA, JAKARTA
Press Release
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Contemporary Art Exhibition from India

A mélange of contemporary art from India is presently being exhibited at Jawaharlal Nehru Indian Culture Centre located at JL. Pandenglang No 44, Menteng, Jakarta. The exhibition is open to the public from 10 am to 5.00 PM till 25th January 2013

The exhibition was inaugurated by Mrs. Neeru Singh, spouse of Mr. Gurjit Singh, Ambassador of India to Indonesia, ASEAN and Timor Leste on 19th January 2013. A talk on contemporary art was given by Ms. Deborah Iskandar, well known art critic based in Jakarta to a packed audience.

The exhibition depicts art works from established painters in India.

EMBASSY OF INDIA, JAKARTA
Press Release
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INDIAN CHEMICAL INDUSTRY LOOKS FOR JOINT VENTURES IN INDONESIA

A 50-member strong business delegation from CHEMEXCIL led by its Chairman Mr. Satish Wagh visited Jakarta on 21 January to look for business opportunities and joint ventures with Indonesian chemical industry.

CHEMEXCIL is a premier chemical industry association in India established to promote exports of dyes and dyes intermediates, organic and inorganic chemicals, agro chemicals, soaps and toiletries, etc. It is a single point source of contact to help overseas buyers in sourcing from India.

During the visit of the CHEMEXCIL delegation, a Buyer Seller Meet (BSM) was organized by the Embassy of India, Jakarta, in association with Federation of Indonesia Chemical Industry and KADIN Jakarta. The event was attended by more than 100 Indonesian companies and many business deals were finalized.

Inaugurating the BSM, Ambassador Gurjit Singh said that India is looking at investing in Indonesia and stressed the need to establish joint ventures with Indonesian companies. As India has a diversified mix of industry in the chemical sector, Indonesian companies could take advantage in associating with them. He called upon more B2B engagement and urged both sides to look for new business opportunities and technological transfer.

He further said that although the overall bilateral trade as well in the chemical sector has increased over the years, the trade data indicates that India's share of chemical exports to Indonesia is still not commensurate with the industry strength and there is still vast potential waiting to be tapped. India's chemical products export has more than doubled in the last two years. It has increased from USD 377 million in 2009-10 to USD 873 million in 2011-12.

In his opening remarks, Chairman of CHEMEXCIL, Mr. Satish Wagh said that Indonesia is India's second largest trading partner in ASEAN, with chemical industry being the fastest growing. He emphasized that the purpose of the BSM is to strengthen and expand existing business and create a positive brand image of Indian business and bridging the information gap.

Speaking on the occasion, FIKI Managing Director Mr. Ida Bagus Agra Kusuma and KADIN Jakarta Deputy Chairman Mr. Irwan Hutasoit, welcomed the initiative taken by CHEMEXCIL in choosing Indonesia for the BSM. They looked forward to have India as one of the major trade and investment partners of Indonesia. They agreed that investing in Indonesia is the right way forward to expand our engagement and hoped that the B2B meet will fully tap the potential that exists in this sector. They looked forward to the early initiation of CECA negotiations which will act as a framework for further enhancement of our trade and investment. They thanked India and CHEMEXCIL for having kept to its schedule to visit Jakarta despite recent flood havoc and they saw it as a source of great confidence and support.

Embassy of India
Press Release
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Scholarships for pursuing University education in India

Applications for the 2013 academic year for the Government of India scholarships provided by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) are now being accepted in the Embassy of India in Jakarta. Last date for acceptance of applications is 15 February 2013.

Scholarships are offered to Indonesian students for study at undergraduate and post-graduate levels, including Master and Doctoral programmes. Students applying for the award of scholarship must pass the English Proficiency Test to be conducted at the Embassy of India in Jakarta. Scholarships are not provided for medicine (MBBS), dentistry (BDS), nursing & other courses related to medicine.

For more information, please visit: www.indianembassyjakarta.com or www.congendiamedan.or.id or www.facebook.com/indianembassyjakarta or contact:

Education Wing, Embassy of India, Jl. HR Rasuna Said, Kav. S-1, Kuningan, Jakarta
Tel: (62-21) 520 4150/52/57/526 4931/Ext. 28 & 521 3775 Fax: (62-21) 520 4160 & 5265622
E-mail: ssedu@net-zap.com or edujkt@net-zap.com or education.jkt@gmail.com

Embassy of India, Jakarta
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AMBASSADOR'S MESSAGE FOR NEW YEAR 2013

On the occasion of the New Year 2013, I would like to extend my best wishes to all of you and your families on behalf of the entire staff and families of the Embassy of India in Jakarta and the Consulates in Bali and Medan. We all hope that the New Year brings with it good health, happiness, harmony, peace, prosperity and joy to you.

During the past year, the Embassy and its Consulates have had a good occasion to engage with you. We recognize all of you as important partners of the Embassy in its work to enhance the development of India’s engagement with Indonesia and ASEAN. We look forward to continuing this cooperation in 2013.

This year is a new beginning and a new challenge. It is also a new opportunity. We have lived through a year of much turmoil and challenge. We have learnt from it and we hope that we would contribute towards the better life for all in the year ahead.

Please accept the best wishes for the New Year from all of us at the Embassy of India.

Embassy of India, Jakarta
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INDIA INDONESIA HOLD TALKS ON FISHERIES COOPERATION

The first meeting of the India-Indonesia Joint Technical Committee on Fisheries Cooperation was held in Jakarta on 6-7 December 2013.

The Indian delegation was led by Mr. Tarun Shridhar, Joint Secretary, Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries, and was accompanied by officials from Indian Council of Agricultural Research, National Fisheries Development Board and Marine Product Export Development Authority. The Indonesian side was headed by Mr. Gellwynn Jusuf, Secretary General, Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, and was aided by officials from Divisions dealing with Capture Fisheries, Aquaculture, Fisheries Products Processing and Marketing, Ocean, Technology, Research and Development. The meeting was held in pursuance of the Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in Fisheries between the two countries.

The two sides had detailed exchange of views on policy, technical, investment, marketing, research and development aspects and discussed possibilities of cooperation. They agreed on a Work Plan which included investment in aquaculture in Indonesia and cooperation in research and development, fish quality standards, capacity building and documentation of traditional knowledge.

The Indian delegation also paid a visit to the Jakarta Fishing Port where the authorities gave a detailed presentation about the functioning of the Port.

The second meeting of the Joint Technical Committee will be held in October/November 2013 in India.

Embassy of India, Jakarta
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New procedure to apply on-line for Indian citizenship by descent

The Government of India has introduced a new procedure to apply on-line for Indian citizenship by descent under section 4 (1) of the Citizenship Act 1955. Henceforth, application for grant of Indian Citizenship will be processed only, if submitted on-line. Accordingly, the on-line filing of application for grant of Indian Citizenship is mandatory. All applications by the general public (for all sections of Indian Citizenship) can be accessed through the website : www.indiancitizenshiponline.nic.in

Embassy of India, Jakarta
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EXPRESSION OF INTEREST (EoI) for ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN COMPETITION

Nalanda University invites Expression of Interest (EoI) from qualified architects/ architectural firms for the Master Plan of the campus and architectural design of buildings and facilities in the first phase of development of their campus in Rajgir, Bihar. Successful applicants will be prequalified to participate in a single stage design competition.Interested architects/ architectural firms may download the full Expression of Interest & Prequalification document from the official web site of the university – www.nalandauniv.edu.in between the 21st of November and 27th of December 2012. Hard copies of the EoI document can also be collected from the University office between the 26th of November and 27th of December 2012.

The last date for the submission of EoI is the 8th of January, 2013.

Embassy of India, Jakarta
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Embassy reaches out to Indonesian Universities

As part of its efforts to reach out to different universities in Indonesia and engaging the students directly, Jawaharlal Nehru Indian Cultural Centre (JNICC), Jakarta showcased a cultural programme “ Slice of India” on 28th November 2012 at Atma Jaya University, Yogyakarta, and an photo exhibition depicting sixty years of bilateral relations between the two countries at Gadjah Mada University, one of the largest national universities in Yogyakarta, on 29th November 2012.

‘Slice of India’, a cultural programme conceived by JNICC, Jakarta, showcases the rich traditions and culture of India emphasizing unity in diversity. It includes a short film on India, a cultural dance performance, group discussion on preservation and tradition of culture in modern times, presentation on similarities of culture and tradition between the two countries and depiction of traditional dress attires from various Indian states by Indonesian students. This is followed by a talk on educational opportunities in India and scholarships offered to Indonesian students by the Embassy.

A scintillating Manipuri dance performance by dancers who had come for the inaugural ASEAN-India Car Rally flagged off at Yogyakarta was one of the man highlights of the Cultural show.

Inaugurating the “Slice of India’ programme, Ambassador emphasized that reaching out to the youth of Indonesia was one of the main priorities as both countries had a young population. Towards this, the Embassy had been actively engaging various universities in Indonesia through academic seminars and cultural programmes. The academic seminars and cultural programmes held in various universities in Indonesia has brought out immense possibilities of cooperation in the education sector like exchange of students, fellows, academia, curriculum, establishing of Chairs, twinning of universities etc.

About 300 students attended the Cultural show “Slice of India’ and the photo exhibition.

Embassy of India, Jakarta
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Bust of Rabindranath Tagore unveiled at historic Borobudur Temple in Yogyakarta, Indonesia

The bust of Indian Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore was unveiled today i.e. 26th November 2012 in a grand ceremony against the backdrop of the majestic Borobudur Temple at Yogyakarta by Mr. Gurjit Singh, Ambassador of India to Indonesia and ASEAN, and Mrs. Listyowati, Director of South and Central Asia, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Indonesia.

The event was one of the main highlights of the ASEAN-India Car Rally 2012 which kicked off at Yogyakarta earlier today. Borobudur Temple, one of the world’s greatest ancient monument and UNESCO world heritage building, is the largest Buddhist temple complex in the world dating back to the 9th century. 124 participants of the Car Rally also witnessed the ceremony.

In his remarks at the unveiling ceremony, Ambassador Gurjit Singh said that the Tagore’s bust has been placed at the premises of the most iconic monument of Indonesia which reflects the closeness of our ties and importance both our great countries accord to the ideas and vision of Tagore. He said that Tagore was a revered cultural figure, a spokesman of the East. As an enlightened soul he remained in a continuous journey of search and quest to generate awareness among diverse entities and races. Tagore’s journey to the Indonesian archipelago was one of his ongoing discoveries of an “Asian Identity” which belonged to a common cradle of civilization.

The bronze bust which has been sculpted in India by Mr. Janak Jhankar Nazary, Professor of Art History in Viswa Bharti and gifted by the Indian Ministry of Culture commemorates the visit of Rabindranath Tagore to Indonesia in 1927 where he also planted a sapling at the Borobudur Temple and sitting on the steps of this grand temple wrote a poem “To Jawa” expressing his great love for this island.

Tagore visited Indonesia to discover Indian culture in Southeast Asia and promote Asian cultural identity. He visited Belawan, Batavia, Surabaya, Solo, Yogyakarta, Bali and Bandung and his visit was mainly to connect with the intellect and culture of the region and to mobilize support for his world university “Vishwa Bharati”. In the process, the multi faceted artist in Tagore discovered many strands of fine arts, which he carried back and incorporated in the curriculum of “Vishwa Bharati”. While in Java, his companions also learnt the process of Batik printing which was later taught in Shantinikentan. Tagore also introduced a style of costumes for dance recitals in Rabindra-nritya which was influenced by Javanese costumes. During his visit here, he also came in contact with educationists and worked out a effective exchange of scholars, students and artists between Indonesia and his university in Shantiniketan.

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26th November 2012

Embassy of India, Jakarta
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ASEAN-INDIA CAR RALLY 2012 KICKS OFF TOMMOROW AT YOGYAKARTA, INDONESIA

Commemorative event to celebrate
20 years of ASEAN-India dialogue partnership

The much awaited event-The ASEAN-India Car Rally- kicks off to a grand start at the historic city of Yogyakarta, a city steeped in history and culture, tomorrow i.e 26th November 2012 at 0900 hrs.

Jointly organized by the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and all ASEAN nations, the ASEAN India car rally commemorates 20 years of ASEAN-India relationship in the run up to the India-ASEAN commemorative Summit to be held in New Delhi on 20-21 December 2012. The car rally aims to demonstrate the close civilization links with ASEAN countries, create public awareness, promote connectivity, and enhance trade, investment, tourism and people to people links between ASEAN and India region

The car rally will traverse a total of 8000 kms across nine countries over 22 days with 124 participants from 11 countries before culminating its journey in Guhawati, India, on 17th December 2012. Later, on 20th December 2012, a ceremonial flag down will be held in New Delhi by the Indian Prime Minister and other Head of States of all ASEAN countries.

A joint Press Conference to brief the media was addressed today, a day prior to the flag off ceremony, by Ambassador of India to Indonesia and ASEAN, Mr. Gurjit Singh and the Director General of ASEAN Cooperation in Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Gusti Agung Wesaka Puja. Ambassador Gurjit Singh said that people-to-people relationships between India and the friendly countries of ASEAN are both historic and contemporary and the ASEAN-India Car Rally 2012 revitalizes the traditional engagements at the popular level. It also manifests the growing connectivity between India and the ASEAN.

He further added that the ASEAN-India Car Rally marks the culmination of month long celebrations of ASEAN-India partnership which had laid strong emphasis on strengthening people to people connectivity in various regions of Indonesia. Towards this, many events were held in Indonesia like the highly successful visit of Indian Naval Sailing Ship expedition to Padang, Bali and Manado, business and academic seminars and cultural performances at Jakarta, Bali and Manado.

Two special publications ‘’Commemorating 20 years of ASEAN-India Partnership’’ and ’India-ASEAN IN FOCUS” were released on the occassion. Elaborate arrangements have been made by the Indonesian Government for the inaugural leg of the journey Indonesia.

During its Indonesian leg of journey the car rally will cover a distance of 134 Kms from Yogyakarta to Surakarta via Borobudur. The celebrations start with a dinner on 25th November 2012, a day prior to the flag off, for the rally participants against the backdrop of the historic Prambanan temple, UNESCO heritage monument, at Yogyakarta accompanied by a cultural performance traditionally held at the temple based on Indian epic Ramayana. The inaugural flag off ceremony on 26th November 2012 will be held at the courtyard of Hotel Royal Ambarukmo, Yogyakarta, where it will be flagged off by a host of Indonesian and Indian dignitaries. A large crowd including school children is expected to gather and cheer the participants at the Flag off ceremony. A cultural performance by both countries would be held during the flag off ceremony. An Indian cultural troupe showcasing Manipuri dance has been specially flown in from India through the aegis of Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR).

After the flag off, the rally proceeds on a scenic route to historic and majestic Borobudur temple, the largest Buddhist temple in the world and UNESCO heritage monument, where the rally participants will halt for a lunch hosted by the Governor of Central Java. Rally participants will plant saplings and have a photo session against the backdrop of the Borubudur temple.

One of the important highlights during the stopover at Borobudur temple is the unveiling of bust of Indian Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore which will installed later in the vicinity of Borobudur Temple. The bronze bust of Rabindranath Tagore has been sculpted by Mr. Janak Jhankar Nazary, Professor of Art History in Viswa Bharti and gifted by the Indian Ministry of Culture especially to commemorate the visit of Rabindranath Tagore to Indonesia in 1927 where he had also visited Borobudur temple, planted a sapling and sitting on the steps of this grand temple wrote a poem “To Jawa” expressing his great love for this island.

The rally thereafter proceeds to the final leg of journey in Indonesia to Surakarta, a distance of where at its conclusion the rally participants will be hosted to a grand reception by the Mayor of Solo which includes cultural performance and handcrafts exhibition.

After a night halt at Surakarta, the rally participants fly to Singapore for the second leg of the ASEAN India car rally.

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November 25, 2012

Embassy of India, Jakarta
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Business and IT Seminar held in Manado, Indonesia, to commemorate 20 years of ASEAN-India Dialouge Partnership

A Business and IT Seminar was organised by Consulate General of India, in association with Sam Ratulangi University and KADIN ( Indonesian Business Chamber), North Sulawesi, in Manado on 12th November 2012 with a view to explore opportunities for business partnership in IT sector, Investment and Trade.

The Seminar at Manado, North Sulawesi, is part of series of seminars being held in Indonesia by the Embassy of India,Jakarta, to mark the 20th anniversary of ASEAN-India Dialogue Partnership and to celebrate the arrival of INS Sudarshini, Indian Naval Ship, at Manado. The earlier seminars were held in Jakarta and Bali.

The speakers indentified potential areas of cooperation between India and Indonesia like infrastructure development including rail and port construction, food processing industries, and tourism. In the context of North Sulawesi region, which is being envisoned as a new gateway to East Asia and the Pacific, the thrust areas for Indian companies to invest were in tourism infrastructure, fisheries, and agro foodprocessing.

In the context of IT collaboration, it was noticed that there was tremendous scope for Indian companies in Internet Infrastructure, hardware and software development and human resource training in IT. University of Sam Ratulangi expressed interest in IT technology from India for upgrading their IT department. Tourism software and IT training were other areas where expertise of Indian companies were sought.

Speaking at the Seminar, Ambassador of India to Indonesia and ASEAN, Mr. Gurjit Singh said that IT continues to play a major role and has contributed to globalisation of opportunities. Noting that both India and Indonesia have a young population, Ambassador said that human resources development and capacity building will continue to engage attention and the Embassy would be willing to work with KADIN and Universities on indentified areas of cooperation. He also mentioned that Government of India operates Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation ( ITEC) scholarships available to foreign nationals which has a substantial component of IT tranining.

The Seminar was attended by over 150 people including representatives from KADIN, North Sulawesi chapter, faculty and students from Sam Ratulangi University, provincial goverment officials, academicians, media and students. Ms. Santosh Nautiyal from Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce (FICCI) and Mr. Parag Wagle, Country Manager for Indonesia,Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) also participated in the Seminar
Both sides agreed to pursue the areas of cooperation identified during the Seminar to enhance economic engagment between India and Indonesia, especially in the region of North Sulawesi.

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Embassy of India, Jakarta
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INS Sudarshini, Indian Naval Ship arrives at Manado, Indonesia.

INS Sudarshini, the Indian naval sailing ship, which had set out on a historic voyage from Kochi, India, on 15th September 2012 to retrace the sailing trade route of yore along the monsoon winds arrived at its last port of call in Indonesia at Port Bitung, Manado on 10th November 2012. Manado is the capital of North Sulawesi province and is known for its breathtaking panoramas of lush mountains, coffee and coconut plantations, orchid gardens and terraced hillsides. Its landscape is also dotted with many churches
INS Sudarshini’s journey to ASEAN member states is part of ongoing celebrations to commemorate the 20th anniversary of ASEAN-India dialogue partnership. Indonesia is the first stop in its historic journey through ASEAN member states having arrived at Padang on 12th October 2012.

On arrvial, the Commander of INS Sudarshini, N. Shyam Sundar, was received warmly by Mr. Max J Lomban, Vice Mayor of Bitung, Deputy Chief of Mission of Embassy of India, Jakarta, Mr. Raveesh Kumar, Consul General of India, Bali, Mr. A.S. Takhi and representatives of Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Indonesian Navy, armed forces, Lantamal Bitung (Lantamal VIII) A large crowd of enthusiastic children had gathered on the occassion to witness the arrival of the ship.

A colourful welcome ceremony displaying traditional dances from the Manado region was accorded to the crew of INS Sudarshi. School children wearing colourful dresses played the band welcoming the crew.

Mr.Raveesh Kumar, Deputy Chief of Mission, Embassy of India in Jakarta said the visit of INS Sudarshini will go a long way in strengthening the cultural, economic and diplomatic linkages across the Indian Ocean and reinforcing people to people connectivity. He was particulary glad that INS Sudarshini has received a tremendous ovation during its course of journey through Indonesia for the past one month and thanked the support of the Indonesian Government and its people who supported the event.

Speaking on the occassion, Commander of the ship, N.Shyam Sunder said that his mission to build bridges across oceans through people to people connectivity has been amply demonstrated by the overwhelming response they received from the Indonesian Governement and its people at all three ports of call in Indonesia. He said that he will carry forward the message of goodwill and peace conveyed by Indonesian freinds on his onward journey to ASEAN member states.

Ambassador of India to Indonesia and ASEAN, Mr. Gurjit Singh, accompanied by Commander Shyam Sunder would later be calling on the Governor of North Sulawesi.
To coincide with the ship’s arrival, a cultural performance by Indian Kathak dancer, Ms. Malti Shyam, and a business & IT Seminar, in which FICCI is participating, is scheduled to be held on 11th and 12 November respectively.

INS Sudarshini will be open to visitors on 11 & 12 November 2012. It will cast off on 13th November 2012 for its next port which is Brunei.

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Embassy of India, Jakarta
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Ambassador of India to Indonesia and ASEAN, Mr. Gurjit Singh, calls on Governor of North Sulawesi, Indonesia --India to promote greater economic engagement with North Sulawesi

Ambassador of India to Indonesia and ASEAN, Mr. Gurjit Singh paid a courtesy call on H.E. Dr. Sinyo Harry Sarundajang, Governor of North Sulawesi on 11th November 2012. The Ambassador is visting Manado in connection with the arrival of INS Sudarshini, the Indian Naval Ship, at Manado and other associated events being held to conicide with the Ship’s arrival. These events are being held as part of ongoing celebrations of 20 years of ASEAN-India dailogue partnership. The commander of INS Sudarshini, Mr. N. Shyam Sunder and other officials from the Embassy also accompanied the Ambassador during the courtesy call.

At the outset, Ambassador conveyed his appreciation at the warm welcome accorded to INS Sudarshini presently docked at Manado, and its crew members. Ambassador mentioned that the ship has received a tremendous response from the people of Indonesia during its course of journey in Indonesia and hoped that the goodwill generated by the visit will further consolidate people to people relationship and connectivity.

Ambassador mentioned that the Embassy has been adopting a regional approach towards provinces in Indonesia with a view to engage them in possible areas of cooperation. He said that Indian investors are looking into areas that offered potential in North Sulawesi, particularly in infrastructure through PPP & BOT model, agro food processing, fisheries, and service industry including IT and ITés. In this connection,Ambassador added, the Embassy has taken the initiative of organising a Seminar on Business and IT in Manado in association with Sam Ratulangi University to coincide with the arrival of INS for exploring avenues for enhancing the economic engagement between the two countries. This follows the successful business seminars and B2B meetings held recently in Jakarta and Bali which generated interest in Indian investment into Indonesia. Ambassador mentioned that the Embassy would continue to play the role of a facilitator by organising more business events in various provinces and bring about greater interaction between the business chambers of India and Indonesia.

Ambassador also gave a broad overview of India’s strength in ‘ Capacity Building” through its Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) programme and how it can be utilised to mutual benefit of both countries. Ambassador offered five scholarships in ITEC including media which can be used by people of North Sulawesi. Another area of focus was to engage the universites in both countries through regular exchange of academics, students, fellows, academic curriculum, creating of Chairs and twinning of Universities which will result in better understanding and perspective about each other.

Governor of North Sulawesiwelcomed Ambassador’s initiative to reach out to the people of Indonesia thorugh holding of business/academic seminars and cultural performances and looked forward to more encomomic engagment with India especially in the field of agro food processing including spices, coconuts, fisheries, tourism and IT where there was considerable scope in his province. He mentioned that they have prioritised tourism in view of its vast potential in natural reserve and marine parks and looked forward for investment in these sectors. Appreciating India’s strength in education and Capacity Building, he said he looked forward for a more constructive engagement in these areas.

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Embassy of India, Jakarta
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Indian Kathak dance troupe enthralls ASEAN Secretariat

EMBASSY OF INDIA, JAKARTA PRESS RELEASE Indian Kathak dance troupe enthralls ASEAN Secretariat A dazzling performance by renowned Kathak dancer, Ms .Malti Shyam, accompanied by her troupe members regaled the knowledgeable crowd gathered at the ASEAN Secretariat in Jakarta on 5th November 2012. Malti Shyam is one of India's foremost exponents of the Lucknow Gharana.

Trained under Shrimati Reba Vidyarthi and Pandit Birju Maharaj, Malti is known for the lyrical grace and technical precision of her dance. Organised by the ASEAN Secretariat, in association with the Embassy of India, Jakarta, as part of their activities for enhancing cultural understanding among ASEAN and its dialogue partners especially in the context of 20th anniversary of ASEAN-India dialogue partnership, the event was first of its kind to be held in the ASEAN Secretariat and was attended by members of diplomatic community, media and cultural connoisseurs.

The five member Kathak troupe have been specially flown in from India by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations, New Delhi as part of the ongoing celebrations of 20 years of ASEAN-India Dialogue Relationship and as a run up to the special commemorative ASEAN-India Summit to be held in New Delhi in December 2012. Speaking at the cultural evening, H.E. Ms. Alicia Dela Rosa, Bala, Deputy Secretary-General for ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community, who represented Dr. Surin Pitsuwan, SG, ASEAN, said that ASEAN values its relationship with India as a Dialogue Partner and complimented India’s active efforts in furthering its engagement with ASEAN for a mutually beneficial partnership. She said today’s performance will go a long way in promoting cultural understanding and partnership between ASEAN and India.

Ambassador Gurjit Singh thanked the ASEAN Secretariat for organizing the cultural evening in association with the Indian Embassy and said that it was part of our ongoing efforts to reach out and establish a ‘people to people’ connect directly through cultural performances, business, academic seminars etc.

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Embassy of India, Jakarta
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Seminar on Cultural and Historical Links
Between India-Indonesia

To mark the 20th anniversary of ASEAN-India Dialogue Partnership, an academic seminar titled “India-Indonesia-Shared Historty & Culture and opportunities for deepning ‘people-to-people’ contact” was organised jointly by Consulate General of India, Bali, and Udayana University, Bali on 30 October 2012 in Udayana University in Bali.
In a well attended seminar, eminent speakers from various organisations/ Institutes in Bali addressed the gathering on varied topics such as cultural relations of India & Indonesia, common threads of traditions between India and Indonesia, the relationship of India-Balinese Hindus, developement of Hinduism in Bali, comparison of dances from Bali and Southern India, strategic agenda for cooperation between India and Indonesia and collective memories of relations between India and Indonesia.

In his opening remarks, the Rector of Udayana University, Mr. Made Bakta, welcomed the participants to the seminar and hoped the deliberations would lead to more insight and understanding between two countries who share historical and cultural links. He said his university was looking forward to strenghten educational opportunities with Indian universities especially in the field of science and technology. The university plans to establish a Center for Indian studies next year which will facilitate visit by Indian scholars.

Speaking on the topic of collective memories of relations between India and Indonesia, Prof Dr. Phil I Ketut Ardhana, said the Indian influence on Indonesia was now mainly in the areas of social and cultural matters and the challenge now is to see how these influences are reinforced in strenghting the ties between the two countries.
Mr Ketut Putra Erawan, Executive Director, Insititute for Peace and Democracy spoke on the topic of strategic agenda for cooperation between India and Indonesia. He said India and Indonesia are now emerging giants that world cannot ignore. The challenge for these countries is to find ways and means to eradicate poverty and realize equitable distribution of fruits of development amongst its people.

Prof. Dr. I. Made Titib, Rector of Institute Hindu Dharma Negeri and Prof. Dr. I.B. Gunadha, Head of Post Graduate Program UNHI, spoke on the relationship of India and the Balinese Hindus and how Hinduism had developed and evolved in Bali over the centuries.

Ms. Aparajita Sarma, Performer and Dance Teacher at the Indian Cultural Center, Bali, gave a demonstration on the comparision of dances from Bali and Southern India.

Ambassador Gurjit Singh, who was the key note speaker, said that India and Indonesia share historical and civilisation ties which was so well established and the challenge now is how to modernise the age old relationship. He said both India and Indonesia have a young population and therefore it was imperative to enhance people to people connectivity through academic exchanges, scholarships, twinning of university programmes. He said there was a need to engage each other directly rather than through third sources and the cross fertilisation of ideas generated through these exchanges could reinvigorate the relationsiip to a new level. He said the Embassy would play the role of facilitator in establishing ‘people to people’ connectivity through seminars, academic exchanges, exchange of scholarships, twinning arrangements between univesities of both countries and establishing India corners in universities in Indonesia. He also indicated that the Embassy would endeavour to hold the India-Bali Sangam cultural festival on an annual basis which will go a long way to reinforce the existing cultural links.

Mr. Zahur Zaidi, Director, Jawaharlal Nehru Culture Centre, made a presentation and highlighted the common threads of traditions found in India and Indoneisa such as historical epics like Ramayana and Mahabharata, religion, historical monuments, usage of Sanskrit words in Bahasa language, food, textiles and Bollywood.

Since the arrival of INS Sudarshini, which is presently docked at Port Benoa in Bali, a number of high profile events in Bali have been held which will culminate with holding of India-Bali sangam in Bali, a cultural extravaganza featuring Indian films, live demonstration of Indian cuisine, textiles, and cultural performances.

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Embassy of India, Jakarta
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Ambassador Gurjit Singh calls on Governor of Bali

Ambassador of India to Indonesia and ASEAN, Mr. Gurjit Singh paid a courtesy call on H.E. Mr. Made Mangku Pastika, Governor of Bali on 30th October 2012.

Ambassador spoke about the shared historical and cultural ties between the two countries more so with Bali with whom many similarities exists. Ambassador mentioned about the various events being held in Indonesia in the month of October-November to commemorate the 20th anniversary of ASEAN India Dialogue Partnership like the ASEAN India Business Seminar in association with Bank Indonesia and KADIN, the Academic Seminar in association with the Udayana University and a cultural extravaganza called India Bali Sangam featuring Indian films, cultural performance, cuisine etc. Ambassador thanked the Governor for the warm welcome accorded to INS Sudarshini, the Indian Naval Ship, presently docked in Port Benoa, Bali. The commander of INS Sudarshini accompanied the Ambassador for the call on the Governor of Bali.

Ambassador mentioned that he is looking forward to work with various regions in Indonesia so that vigour can be brought into its engagements and in this regard Bali was the first region. He said that Indian investors are looking into Indonesia for investments in infrastructure and in the context of Bali region, tourism infrastructure offered great potential. Tourism marketing was another area which offered considerable scope and Ambassador mentioned that they were working towards holding a Tourism Fair in Bali next year in which ideas can be exchanged on how to increase tourism from both sides. He also said that there was great potential in selling Bali as a destination for Bollywood filmmakers and for film award ceremonies.

On Capacity Building, Ambassador mentioned that there were various scholarship schemes under the ITEC programme offered by the Embassy which can be utilized. Further possibilities on cooperation included on the academic side including academic exchanges, twinning arrangements between universities and student exchanges.

The Governor of Bali welcomed the ideas and said they were keen to intensify their cooperation with India. He said that the people from the Bali region shared a cultural bonding with India and spiritual tourism offered lot of scope with many Balinese people visiting India for this purpose. He thanked Ambassador for offering ITEC scholarships in capacity building and looked forward to more engagements with India in the field of education especially on IT.

30th October 2012

*****

Embassy of India, Jakarta
***

Ambassador Gurjit Singh visits INS Sudarshini, Indian Sail Ship, at Bali
Commemorative event to mark 20th anniversary of ASEAN India Dialogue Partnership

The Ambassador of India to Indonesia and ASEAN, Mr. Gurjit Singh visited Indian Sail Ship INS Sudarshini, on 30 October 2012, which is presently docked at Port Benoa, Bali, Indonesia, as part of the commemorative event to mark the 20th anniversary of ASEAN India Dialogue Partnership. INS Sudarshini had set off from Kochi, India, on 15th September 2012 on a historic voyage to ASEAN countries to re-trace historic civilization and maritime trade links and to celebrate the warm and friendly relations with countries of ASEAN.

Ambassador Gurjit Singh congratulated Commander Shyam Sunder and his crew on their mission to re-trace the historic trade route along ASEAN countries. He termed the visit of the INS Sudarshini as a “symbol of friendship” and said the ship will connect the young people of India and Indonesia and provide an interface through “people to people” connectivity among ASEAN states. He thanked the Government of Indonesia and the Balinese people for the support and   warm welcome accorded to INS Sudarshini and its crew. The INS Sudarshini has been drawing many visitors especially school children.

Two Indonesian cadets are presently on board INS Sudarshini for the entire leg of Indonesian journey and will gain a useful insight and experience with Indian cadets.

INS Sudarshini will set off from Bali on 31st October 2012 and head for Manado, Indonesia, which will be the last port of call in Indonesia.

*****

Embassy of India, Jakarta
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ASEAN-INDIA Business seminar held in Bali to commemorate
20 years of relationship

As part of the commemorative events being held in Indonesia to mark the 20th anniversary of the ASEAN-India dialogue partnership, the Embassy of India organized an India ASEAN Business Seminar in Bali on 29th October 2012 in association with Indian Chamber of Commerce, Kolkata (ICC), Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, ( KADIN Bali), Bali Investment Agency and Bank Indonesia. The business event followed the arrival of INS Sudarshini, the Indian Navy Sail Ship, in Bali on 27th October 2012 which retraces the historic trade route among ASEAN member states.

In the inaugural session, representatives of Governor of Bali and Director General of ASEAN Cooperation, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Indonesia, the Executive Director of Bank Indonesia and the Consul General of India spoke on the historical and cultural linkages and similarities between the two countries. It was felt that there was enormous scope for business cooperation in various sectors mainly in tourism, Infrastructure, capacity building, agro and food processing, health care and banking.

Speaking at the Seminar, Ambassador Gurjit Singh said that the Embassy will endeavor to have enhanced engagement with various regions of Indonesia; and Bali is the first amongst them. While stating that there is scope for cultural tourism between the two countries he said that the Embassy is planning to have a tourism promotion campaign next year in Bali. He pointed out that there are some challenges like direct flights between the two countries. Speaking in the context of tourism marketing, he mentioned that Bali can be used as a destination for Bollywood film makers and for holding film award ceremonies which will go a long way in further promoting Bali and other Indonesian cities as major tourist attractions.

In the business session, representatives of KADIN Bali, Bali Investment Agency, Department of Tourism, and ICC Kolkata made detailed presentations
on business opportunities in Agro and Tourism sectors in the two countries. The seminar concluded with a round of B2B meetings.

The seminar was attended by 150 participants representing trade, industry, and tourism. The Indian Chamber of Commerce, Kolkata, was also represented by a senior delegation of various sectors including tourism, agriculture, and Infrastructure.

*****

Embassy of India, Jakarta
***

INS ‘Sudarshini’ arrives in Bali to an enthusisatic Balinese welcome

INS ‘Sudarshini’ arrived at Port Benoa in Denpasar, Bali at 09:00 am on Saturday, 27 October 2012 morning. The Indian Navy’s sail ship, which set out on a historic voyage from Kochi, India, on 15th September 2012, is currently on an expedition to Bali in Indonesia, among other ASEAN countries, to re-trace the trade route along monsoon winds and strengthen the trade, cultural and maritime linkages with this region.

Bali is the second port of call in Indonesia. Sudarshini earlier visited Padang from 12-15 October 2012. Bali has strong historical and cultural links with India and several similarities in culture and traditions are visible in Balinese society.

A large enthusiatic crowd comprising of school children from SMA Negere-5, representative of Mayor of Denpasar, Indonesian Navy and armed forces, Balinese community, members of the Committee of World Hindu Summit and people from other walks of life gathered at Port Benoa from early morning to witness the historic moment and welcome INS Sudarshini.

The visit by the ship reminds the Balinese community of the Bali Jatra undertaken by our forebearers from Kalinga (present-day Odisha) to Bali, who brought along with them the items for trade as also traditions, culture, religion, architecture, dance forms etc. from India.

Commander and the crew of INS ‘Sudarshini’ was recieved warmly by the representative of Mayor of Denpasar, the Consul General of India in Bali, and representatives of Lanal Benoa, members of the Committee of the World Hindu Summit & Balinese community. In a typical Balinese welcome, the Commander and the crew were garlanded and a traditional welcome dance was presented by students on the occasion followed by Okokan dance by Balinese performers from Tabanan Regency. The Baleganjur drums were played as the ship berthed at Port Benoa.

Speaking on the occasion, Commander of the ship, N. Shyam Sunder, said that he and his crew have been overwhelmed by the tremendous response that INS Sudarshini has generated in its short stay in Indonesia especially from young Indonesians and hoped that the emotional connect made here would help in enhancing people-to-people connectivity between India and Indonesia.

In his remarks on the occassion, Mr A.S.Takhi, Consul General of India in Bali said that it was a historic moment for the people of India and Indonesia and the goodwill generated by INS Sudarshini would reinforce the existing warm and friendly ties enjoyed by both countries. He said that he was particulary glad that the two Indonesian cadets on board the INS Sudarshini had benfitted from this experience. He also stated that it was a proud moment for him to welcome the ship, particularly since the Consulate General of India started operating in Bali only since January this year, and the arrival of the ship would help in its efforts to deepen the people-to-people contacts.

To celebrate the arrival of INS Sudarshini marking the 20th anniversary of the ASEAN–India Dialogue Partnership, various events, under the theme of India-Bali Sangam, are being organized at several venues in Bali from October 29 to 4 November 2012, including a joint Business seminar with B2B meetings between Indian and Balinese entrepreneurs, an Academic Seminar on India-Indonesia Relations and a cultural extravaganza showcasing Indian cultural performance, cuisine, films, textiles, yoga etc.
The entire crew of the ship, along with the business delegation from the Indian Chamber of Commerce, Kolkata, would be accorded traditional welcome, with cultural performances, later in the evening by the Regent of Gianyar at the Puri Agung Ubud.
Members of the Balinese society are welcome to come on-board the INS Sudarshini on 28 & 29 October from 10 am to 4 pm.

The ship will travel to Manado in North Sulawesi on 31 October. The two Indonesian cadets who joined the ship at Padang on 12 October will continue their experience with INS Sudarshini till the Bitung Port in Manado.

Updates on developments and various commemorative events may be followed on the facebook page of the Embassy of India in Jakarta – www.facebook.com/indianembassyjakarta and the Consulate General of India in Bali - www.facebook.com/cgbali.

Embassy of India, Jakarta
***

ASEAN India Business Seminar held in Jakarta
Commemorative event to mark 20 Years of ASEAN-India relations

The Embassy of India, Jakarta, in association with KADIN, Jakarta, and the Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC), Kolkatta, organized the ASEAN-India Business Seminar for Progress & Prosperity on 24th Oct 2012 in Jakarta.

The ASEAN-India business seminar is the first event in a series of events planned to be held in various cities of Indonesia prior to the India-ASEAN Summit at New Delhi in December 2012 to mark the to mark the 20th anniversary of the ASEAN-India dialogue partnership. The business event follows the arrival of INS Sudarshini, the Indian Navy Sail Ship, in Indonesia which retraces the historic trade route among ASEAN member states.

The inaugural session was addressed by H.E. Mr. Mahendra Siregar, Vice Minister of Finance, Republic of Indonesia, who spoke on the topic of India-Indonesia partnership on the road to future ASEAN Economic Integration. Speaking on the occasion, the Vice Minister said that in the context of weakening global growth which were affecting the emerging economies, there is a need to diversify the markets and deepen trade relations. He said there was now a need to get an economic community perspective for a broad based engagement which can be wider than the present FTA based relationship. The Vice Minister also spoke on the need to strengthen the infrastructure connectivity by integrating the supply chain.

Speaking on the topic “India’s ASEAN way”, Ambassador Gurjit Singh mentioned that while trade between India and ASEAN was growing, the challenge now is to look at investment being the next frontier and see how trade can be diversified by having cross investments. He said increased investment will lead to more spin offs resulting in more trade. He said that India-ASEAN relationship was based on basic tenets like consensual collaborative approach, common foreign policy objectives for an equitable world order, common approach to the Indian Ocean sea lane and strengthening capacity building and human resources development.

Mr. Subash Bose Pillai, Director, Market Integration Directorate, ASEAN Economic Community Department also spoke on the occasion. He mentioned that ASEAN-India relations are based on strong foundation led by government initiatives and now it is the turn of the business community to take it to the next level. He said ASEAN valued its partnership with
India and looked forward to expand its engagement.

The seminar has three sessions by noted speakers on 1) Energy, Infrastructure & Mining Sectors. 2) Service Sectors including tourism, healthcare, and skills development 3) Manufacturing sector and concluded with a valedictory session on an overview of the investment climate in Indonesia.

About 200 participants representing the business community in Indonesia and representatives of the ASEAN member states attended the seminar. The Indian Chamber of Commerce was also represented by a senior delegation of various sectors including, Agriculture, Industry Infrastructure, healthcare

*****

Embassy of India, Jakarta
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India and Indonesia Agree to Significantly Step Up Defence Cooperation it’s a Turning Point: Antony

India and Indonesia today decided to significantly enhance their defence cooperation with the Defence Minister Shri AK Antony declaring his meeting with his Indonesian counterpart Mr Purnomo Yusgiantoro as a ‘turning point’ and an ‘excellent beginning’.

This was the first Ministerial level biennial defence dialogue between the two countries which lasted nearly two hours. The two sides exchanged views on a whole range of issues relating to regional and global security, bilateral exercises involving Services, training, co-production of defence equipment and ammunitions and visits at high levels.

The defence dialogue mechanism at the highest level was agreed upon during the visit of Indonesian President SusiloBambangYudhoyono to India in January last year.

Giving an overview of India’s perspective on global and regional security, Shri Antony said the threat of terrorism perpetuated by State and non-State actors affects all of us equally. Shri Antony said some times, the acts of individual terrorists and terrorist organizations are also actively or otherwise encouraged by allowing such organizations safe refuge and other forms of support. ‘It is seen that there are countries from where terrorists are free to launch their operations against other countries. This cannot be tolerated. The world is paying a heavy price for such mindless policies. No country should allow its territory to be used for any form of terrorism, directed against any other country or its people, Shri Antony said.

Dealing at length the power rivalries in the Indian Ocean Region, Shri Antony said although these are being conducted in local theatres, the impact is felt in the wider regional arena and also, globally. He said, we have a stake in the maintenance of peace and stability in our immediate and extended neighbourhood. This includes the entire Indian Ocean region to our east and west. ‘We have a vital stake in the evolution of balance security and cooperation mechanisms through which we can build consensus and pursue dialogue. We seek to improve our partnership with all countries in the Indian Ocean Region on bilateral basis as well as through multilateral for a like IONS, IOR-ARC etc’, he said.

Replying to a question from reporters on South China Sea, after the meeting, Shri Antony said maintenance of peace and security in the region is of vital interest to the international community. ‘Our view is that all countries should exercise restraint and resolve the issue through dialogues according to principles of international law. He said, India supports the freedom of navigation and access to resources in accordance with principles of international law. These principles should be respected by all.

The two sides also exchanged views on the emerging scenario in Afghanistan and West Asia.

The two sides noted with satisfaction that Defence Cooperation constitutes one of the principal focus areas of their diversified relationship. Encouraged by the success of the first Joint Exercise on Counter Terrorism and Jungle Warfare in India earlier this year, Shri Antony proposed that the two countries should continue the joint exercises between the two armies on a mutually agreed frequency.

Similarly, the two navies are regularly conducting coordinated maritime patrols (CORPAT). He said we can examine the possibility of enhancing the engagement through conduct of joint naval exercises. He also offered to Indonesia establishment of a formal maritime domain information sharing arrangement between the two navies.

On the Air Force side, Shri Antony said a high level Indian Air Force team would send a team to finalise details of training and spares support package, once the Indonesian Air Force firms up its requirements.

Shri Antony was assisted by a high-level delegation including the Defence Secretary Shri Shashikant Sharma, Indian Ambassador to Indonesia, Shri Gurjit Singh, CISC Vice Admiral SPS Cheema, C-in-C Andaman & Nicobar Command Lt Gen NC Marwah and DG Ordnance Factory Board Shri SK Beri.

Shri Antony invited Mr Yusgiantoro to visit India for the next round of talks next year and the same was accepted.

Earlier, on his arrival at the Defence Ministry Headquarters in Jakarta, Shri Antony was accorded an Inter-Services guard of honour.

Sitanshu Kar from Jakarta

Embassy of India, Jakarta
***

Defense Minister of India arrives in Indonesia

Hon’ble Defence Minister of India Mr. A.K. Antony, arrived in Indonesia today evening on a three-day visit for the first Biennial Dialogue at the level of Defence Ministers. The Dialogue was agreed during the State Visit of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono to India in January 2011.

During the visit, the Hon’ble Minister will have bilateral meeting with the Indonesian Defence Minister H.E. Mr. Purnomo Yusgiantoro. The two sides will discuss bilateral cooperation in the defence sector and ways to further enhance such cooperation. The Report of the 3rd Joint Defence Cooperation Committee will also be presented during the meeting, outlining the possible areas of cooperation in the defence sector, particularly in the fields of education & training, operation and exercises, peacekeeping operation and counter-terrorism.

Hon’ble Minister is accompanied by a 10-member high-level delegation including the Defence Secretary. Preceding the Ministers’ Biennial Dialogue, the third Joint Defence Cooperation Committee meeting was held earlier today to explore cooperation in the defence sector between the two countries. 15 Oct 2012

Embassy of India, Jakarta
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INS Sudarshini arrives in the first port in Indonesia; Teluk Bayur, Padang

As part of the Commemorative year events marking the 20th anniversary of the ASEAN-India dialogue partnership and the 10th anniversary of ASEAN-India Summit-level partnership the sail training ship of Indian Navy INS Sudarshini, arrived at its first post of call at Padang, Indonesia, on 12th October 2012 to an enthusiastic and cheering crowd gathered for the occasion. After its berth, the Commander of INS Sudarshini Shyamsunder and his crew of 31 people were received by representatives of Lantamal II and by Mr. Basir Ahmed, Consul General (Designate) of Consulate General of India, Medan. A welcome ceremony was held on the occasion.

On arrival, the Commander of INS Sudarshini said that it is a remarkable journey. Retracing the old route gives us feeling of happiness and emotional attachment.

Mr. Basir Ahmed added that it is a historic moment for the people of India and South East Asia. It will help in fostering understanding and cooperation. There is a need to further build on this momentum and establish firmly contemporary maritime linkages.

INS Sudarshini will be berthed in Padang from 12-14 October and will be open to visitors from 0900hrs to 1500 hrs on 13th October and from 0900 to 1300 hrs on 14th October.

The Commander of the Ship together with CGI (designate) and a delegation from Indonesia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (KEMLU), called on the Governor of West Sumatra, Irwan Prayitno and Mayor of Padang, Fauzi Bahar. The Mayor of Padang held a dinner reception in honour of the visiting ship. The Cadets of INS Sudarshini also interacted with the members of TNI-AL.

Two Indonesian cadets will embark on board INS Sudarshini in Padang to have interaction with cadets of INS Sudarshini. They will travel together and continue to be on board the ship throughout the journey till 13th November 2012.
INS Sudarshini had set sail from Kochi ( India) on a historical voyage to celebrate India’s warm and friendly relations with countries of ASEAN. It is retracing the civilization and historical links between India and South East Asia. During the course of its journey the ship will cover 12,000 miles and visit 13 ports in 9 countries in South East Asia. The Ship will stay at Padang Harbour till 15th October before leaving for Bali.

Further information can be accessed from website of the Indian Embassy Jakarta, www.indianembassyjakarta.com and Facebook www.facebook.com/indianembassyjakarta

Embassy of India, Jakarta
***

Application for Internship

Limited slots are available at the Embassy of India for internship to Indonesian/Indian students pursuing any course in any university in Indonesia or abroad. The internship will be for an initial period of 3 months, extendable by another three months. No remuneration will be paid to the interns. A commendation certificate will be awarded upon successful completion of the internship.
Eligibility

• Should be resident of Indonesia
• Should be studying in an university or recently graduated from university [not more    than 6 months]
• Should be proficient in English and Bahasa Indonesia
• Should have excellent communication skills

How to apply

Those fulfilling the above criteria may apply in the enclosed form, alongwith one photograph and send it to:

Head of Chancery
Embassy of India
Jl. H.R. Rasuna Said, Kav. S-1
Kuningan, Jakarta Selatan
T: 5214150 F: 5214160
Email: ssedu@net-zap.com

You can also scan the documents and email it to ssedu@net-zap.com Last date for application is 10th October, 2012.

DOWNLOAD INTERNSHIP APPLICATION HERE

Embassy of India, Jakarta
***

PRESS RELEASE

Remembering Mahatma Gandhi

Remarks by
H.E. Mr Gurjit Singh, Ambassador of India to Indonesia
on 2 October 2012 at the First Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Lecture.

Today on 2 October, we remember a great human being, Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, who came to be known globally as Mahatma Gandhi. As we are commemorating the 143rd birth anniversary of this Apostle of peace and non-violence, we also mark the 106th anniversary of the launch of Satyagraha, a movement of peaceful resistance which started in South Africa on 11 September 1906. That Satyagraha movement created a sequence of events which had hitherto not being seen in human history and it ultimately led to the political emancipation and the creation of representative democracy in India, South Africa and in many developing countries.

We all know Mahatma Gandhi as an eminent political thinker with a deep personal commitment to peace and non-violence. His link between ends and means and a deep religiosity as a manifestation of the human spirit have been well documented. Gandhiji’s most well known political act was the launching of Satyagraha in September 1906 which had reverberations in South Africa and though introduced later in India, led to faster results with the end of colonialism. Mahatma Gandhi’s Satyagraha and commitment to freedom of the human spirit became models for many developing countries as they freed themselves from the shackles of colonialism.

The true strength of Mahatma lay in converting the Indian national movement from a drawing room effort into a mass movement. On his return from South Africa, he was a changed man, the barrister who became a Mahatma. The rest, in many ways, is history.

Today, I would like to focus on the early part of Mohandas Gandhi’s life which contributed to his transformation.

Mohandas Karamachand Gandhi was born on 2 October 1869 in Porbandar, a city in the present state of Gujarat but at that time a part of Bombay. His father, Karamchand, was a senior civil servant and his mother, Putlibai, a devout home maker. She was particularly responsible for the young Mohandas’ learning the stories of Raja Harishchandra, the epitome of truth and sacrifice and Shravan Kumar, the model of a good and dutiful son, which often characterized his own personal behaviour. His family was of a modest means and was vegetarian. Gandhi’s initial schooling and graduation were in local colleges in Porbandar and Rajkot. In 1888, he went to London to study law at the University College and was called to the bar at the Inner Temple. In the three years that he had been there, he often felt the cultural challenges which were well documented in his simply written auto-biography, “The Story of My Experiments with Truth”. The young lawyer in training, Mohandas Gandhi found that it was easier to acquire Western dress and mannerisms but more difficult to adjust to a non-vegetarian diet and the cultural

milieu which was fairly different from what he had been brought up in. He returned to India in 1891 and made efforts to establish a legal practice in Bombay and subsequently in Rajkot. During this time he accepted a 12-month contract from an Indian company near Durban in South Africa and sailed there in what would turn out to be a major voyage of political discovery.

The Gandhi who sailed to South Africa was the English barrister who travelled first class, spoke English and wore suits. As he writes in his autobiography, his journey from Rajkot to Bombay was uneventful but in Bombay he almost did not board the ship heading towards East Africa because no first class cabin was available. These had been occupied by the Portuguese Governor of Mozambique who was returning from Goa. History, as we know it, was saved by the gracious act of a white captain of the ship who persuaded Mohandas Gandhi to travel with him in his cabin as there were no first class berths available. Some rapport between the captain and Mohandas Gandhi was established which led them to making shore journeys on their stops and one was the journey to Lamu in present day Kenya. The ship almost left without Mohandas Gandhi whose boat, which was delayed, had a problem with catching the ship as the tide had changed. Having scrambled up to the ship and consequently the pages of history, Mohandas Gandhi spent some time in Zanzibar, where the Indian legal system and administration were adapted to local conditions. He subsequently changed ships and travelled to South Africa.

The legendary Nelson Mandela is very fond of saying that at that stage India sent to South Africa a lawyer and they returned to us a Mahatma. When I had occasion to call on Madiba in South Africa some years ago, he did repeat this jokingly and I recalled telling him that we have many more lawyers in India. He did not rise to the bait of trying to convert others like the Mahatma!

In South Africa, Mohandas Gandhi’s initial engagement was with the Indians and he saw the discrimination that they suffered from the colonial administration. The case that he was to fight was to use the same colonial laws which he was diligently bent upon doing. However, the impact of apartheid was so severe that even with a first class ticket he would find it well nigh impossible to travel in a first class compartment in a train and was ultimately physically thrown out of a first class compartment at the remote station of Pietermaritzburg. The thud with which he landed was loud enough to ultimately rock the Empire. As Mohandas Gandhi dusted his clothes on the platform, which today carries a plaque marking the occasion, much dust was ready to be shaken from the columns of an Empire long established.

There has been much comment on Mahatma Gandhi’s time in South Africa. The slow transformation of a lawyer who was schooled in a particular milieu coming to learn that the milieu was not ready to adopt to that except in select situations. The power of colonialism and apartheid was severe and would be used with discriminatory laws, and it was this discrimination and the struggle for equality of men that Mohandas Gandhi decided to challenge and at the same time his challenge was not to go outside the law and was willing to undertake the punishment it held.

He had a great respect for the Theosophical Society and Henry Thoreau among others and often writes about them and in fact in South Africa set up a Tolstoy Farm which was an effort for a self-sufficient village community which he believed colonialism destroyed and with it the lives of ordinary people.

Two other aspects of Mahatma Gandhi deserve mention. The first is his great communication skills. He used the printed word to great effect through Young India, Navjivan, Opinion and other newspapers some of which he started in South Africa and some in India. He was a proficient writer, writing English with great simplicity. His daily writings through these newspapers and his daily responses to letters and post cards that he received were widely quoted. In terms of today’s web enabled world, he was an effective blogger and his writings reverberated around the world and won people’s hearts.

Gandhiji was also an eminent representation of soft power. His entire thesis of Satyagraha and his meticulous implementation of it, his own simplicity and devotion and its relationship to the mass movement for India’s independence, created a momentum which today is widely considered to be a comprehensive matrix of soft power. However, rarely in his time, did this term apply to Gandhiji.

He was committed to total peace and non-violence and to whom a violent movement could not meet the ends of true independence. Thus the Chauri Chaura incident where violent provocations led to protestors burning a police station causing death was condemned by Mahatma Gandhi and he called off the protests as the means were not correct to the chagrin of other leaders who had worked hard to create a movement. It was the force of Gandhi’s personality and commitment that each time he fasted, he created huge stirring in the administration. His silence which he undertook often was equally devastating and his light hearted comments, despite his public responsibilities, never diminished. The stark reminder of a photograph of Mahatma Gandhi attending the Round Table Conference in 1931 in his normal attire which attracted much attention in the UK and faced the well heeled interlocutors on the colonial side manifested not the man alone but the movement that he represented. Gandhi had this great knack of grasping the symbolism and the manifestation where it would impact public imagination. He was truly a great communicator that his message lives on today.

The Embassy of India in association with the Gandhi Seva Loka is honoured by the presence of H.E. Dr. Boediono, the Vice President of the Republic of Indonesia who has kindly consented to deliver the first Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Lecture. Today is also the 5th anniversary of the Declaration of this day as the International Day of Non-violence by the United Nations which encouraged all countries to mark the event in a fitting manner to disseminate the message of non-violence including through education and public awareness. We thank the Government of Indonesia for their support in this regard.

We are also happy to note that several Indian organizations have undertaken philanthropic activities during this period including through free medical camps, mobile clinics, vaccination programmes, donation of wheel chairs, distribution of prosthetic aids, cataract operations and blood donation camps among others. This is in the true spirit of Gandhiji’s own thought when he said that till the last tear of every eye was wiped, would true independence not be achieved.

I am also happy to announce that two Indian organizations have instituted a Mahatma Gandhi Scholarship in association with the Indian Embassy to support Indonesian students going to Indian Universities.

Embassy of India, Jakarta
***

PRESS RELEASE

The 1st Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Lecture

To commemorate the 143rd birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi and the International Day of Non Violence, the Embassy of India, Jakarta in association with the Gandhi Seva Loka organised the first ever Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Lecture at the Gandhi Memorial International School on 2nd October 2012.

H.E. Prof. Dr. Boediono, Vice President of Republic of Indonesia was the Chief Guest on the occasion and delivered the lecture.

On arrival he was warmly received by Ambassador Gurjit Singh, Mr. Suresh Vaswani, Chairman of Gandhi Memorial International School, Mr. Shyam R Jethnani, President of the Gandhi Seva Loka and to the accompaniment of enthusiastic cheering from children of Gandhi School. About one thousand people attended the event from all walks of life including Members of Parliament, senior bureaucrats, Ambassadors, think tanks, academia, charitable organizations and the like. A rare collection of photographs encapsulating Gandhiji’s life was also displayed.

The programme opened with a rendition of some hymns of Mahatma Gandhi –Raghupati Raghav Raja Ram and Vasinava Jan- sung by students of the Gandhi school to an appreciative audience.
In his opening remarks, Ambassador Gurjit Singh thanked the Vice President for gracing the occasion and for his special gesture to deliver the first Mahatma Gandhi lecture series. Ambassador Gurjit Singh mentioned that it was a significant gesture from the Vice President borne out by the warm and friendly relations enjoyed by both countries. Ambassador Gurjit Singh spoke about Gandhiji’s legacy, his formative years and his struggle in Africa.

Delivering the lecture on this momentous occasion, H.E. Prof Dr. Boediono, Vice President of Republic of Indonesia described Mahatma Gandhi as an extraordinary human being, a man whose inspiration, thoughts and beliefs continues to influence us. The Vice President said that today we are living in a world amidst intolerance and it is easy to be cynical and lose faith in humanity. Fortunately, the Vice President added, we have Gandhi and his values to guide us. The Vice President mentioned that the three forms of depravity exists which is greed, passion for violence and intolerance and to overcome these depravities, Gandhi’s teachings have become all the more relevant. The Vice President mentioned Indonesia and India share similar diversity in language, religion and culture and the virtue of tolerance preached by Gandhi has helped both countries to maintain unity in diversity.

Earlier, the Gandhi Seva Loka and Gandhi School handed over cheques amounting to Rp 264 mln to twelve charitable organizations in Indonesia.

As part of Gandhi Jayanthi celebrations over the week, several organizations in Indonesia volunteered to hold charitable activities. The Sri Sathya Sai Baba Trust organized a free medical camp and free vaccination for children, Jain Social Group donated 8 wheel chairs to Yayasan Wisma Cheshire, Sadhu Vaswani Trust distributed 40 prosthetic aids, Swami Teoram Satsang provided 20 free cataract operations, Indian Women’s Association will be sponsoring full tuition fees to 30 undergraduate students till completion of their studies, India Club is organizing a blood donation camp and the Art of Living is doing free yoga therapy. There were in response to the Embassy’s initiative to mark Gandhi Jayanthi and the International Day of Non-Violence in a significant manner.

*****

Embassy of India, Jakarta
***

PRESS RELEASE

REVISED VISA FEES WITH EFFECT FROM 1ST OCTOBER, 2012

Embassy of India, Jakarta
***

PRESS RELEASE

INDIA TO HOST
INDIA-ASEAN BUSINESS FAIR & CONCLAVE

India is hosting an India-ASEAN Business Fair & Conclave (AIBFC) on 18-20 December 2012 in Pragati Maidan, New Delhi. This will be the second edition of the Fair, after success of the earlier event in 2011. The AIBFC will be followed by ASEAN-India Commemorative Summit “ASEAN-India Partnership for Peace and Shared Prosperity” on 20-21 December 2012 which will be attended by ASEAN Heads of States.

A Road Show on the AIBFC was organised by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI) at KADIN yesterday for the benefit of the Indonesian trade and industry representatives. Mr. Manish Singhal, Assistant Secretary General, FICCI, who is on a 2-day visit to Indonesia, gave a detailed presentation on the Fair which will include Buyer Seller Meets and B2B Meetings. There are seven focus sectors which include automotive and light engineering goods, chemicals and chemical products (biotechnology, drugs & pharmaceuticals, plastic), infrastructure and construction, gems and jewellery, agriculture and food processing, textiles and handicrafts, services sectors (IT, ITES, Tourism, Healthcare). The organisers will permit retail sale for limited hours – 1500 to 1800 hrs on 18 and 19 December and full day on 20 December.

The Business Conclave will be held on 18 December 2012 which will be attended by the Trade Ministers of Indonesia.

During the event, an India-ASEAN Roundtable on Young and Women Entrepreneurs will also take place on 19 December.

Mr. Manish Singhal also met senior officials at the Ministry of Trade, BKPM and ASEAN Secretariat and made presentation on the Fair.

As a special gesture, India has announced providing free space of 100 sq.mtr. to the ASEAN countries at IABFC. For CLMV countries, the entire space required would be provided free of cost. Ambassador of India Mr. Gurjit Singh in a statement hoped that the facility would be utilised by Indonesia and other ASEAN countries with participation by a large number of companies. Bilateral trade between India and Indonesia, which was US$ 17.7 billion in 2011, is targeted to reach US$ 25 billion by 2015.

More details on the event are available on the website http://www.india-aseanbusinessfair.com. The companies interested to participate are required to do online registration. The last date for registration has been extended until mid-October.

Embassy of India, Jakarta
***

Disposal of old computers, printers, monitors etc.

The Embassy of India invites sealed bids for disposal of old computers, printers, monitors, scanners on ‘as is where is basis’. The items can be inspected with prior appointment at address:

Jl. H.R.Rasuna Said, Kav.S-1, Kuningan, Jakarta Selatan – 12950.

Interested parties may contact telephone numbers
021-5204191, or 5204150 extn:35 for appointment and inspection of the items.

P.K.Gupta
Head of Chancery
Date: 21 September 2012

Embassy of India, Jakarta
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PRESS RELEASE

SHORT LISTING OF ARCHITECT CONSULTANTS FOR CONSTRUCTION PROJECT

Applications are invited from Architect Consultants who wish to be considered for appointment as Architects for a project to be undertaken by the Embassy of India for construction of the Chancery, Cultural Centre and Staff Residences buildings at Jakarta. Architect shall have valid registration with the Professional Architects Council/designated Government Authority in Jakarta and ten years post-registration experience of comprehensive Architectural Consultancy and Construction Management Services for designing and construction of projects ( such as Embassy buildings, Chancery, Residences for diplomats & staff, Multi purpose hall, Conference facilities & Auditorium, offices for Multinational organizations, residential complexes, commercial complexes, Hotels, Resorts etc) costing US $ Four Million and above.

The Architects/Companies, who have above experience, should submit list of projects designed by them, qualification and experience of their senior associates, structure of their organization and details of Association with various other consultants in the area of structural design, electromechanical works, landscaping and interiors etc

Application for Expression of Interest in sealed covers by the interested companies should reach the Head of Chancery, Embassy of India, Jakarta by 1700 hours on 31st October 2012

Indian ship to sail to RI on old trade routeIndia,

which has more than 2,000 years of trade and cultural links with Southeast Asia, is planning to retrace the ancient route taken by Indian traders to Southeast Asia through a newly-inducted sail training ship, the INS Sudarshini...read next

INS Sudarshini, set sail from Kochi for a Historical Odyssey of Six Month Voyage to Commemorate Indian Association with ASEAN Countries

INS Sudarshini, the sail training ship of Indian Navy today set sail from Kochi on a historical mission to celebrate India’s warm ties with countries of ASEAN. Admiral DK Joshi, Chief of the Naval Staff flagged off the six month voyage- a unique collaborative venture of Ministry of Defence and Ministry of External Affairs- from Naval Base at Kochi....read next

Embassy of India, Jakarta
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JOB VACANCY AT THE EMBASSY OF INDIA, JAKARTA:

Office Assistant
• Should hold degree from University preferably in English
• Min 1 year experience of work in a reputed organization
• 1 Full- Time position available
• Computer literate and familiar with Microsoft office

Receptionist
• Should hold degree from University preferably in English
• Min 1 year experience of working as receptionist in a reputed organization
• 1 Full- Time position available
• Computer literate and familiar with Microsoft office

Project Co-ordinator
• Should hold degree from University preferably in English
• 2-3 years experience of work in a reputed organization
• 1 Full- Time position available
• Computer literate and familiar with Microsoft office
• Should have good inter-personal skills & experience in protocol work

Send your CV and application letter to admjkt@net-zap.com or by post to Embassy of India Jalan HR Rasuna Said Kav. S-1 Kuningan Jakarta Selatan 12950, no later than 17 September 2012.

Embassy of India, Jakarta
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PRESS RELEASE

Indian Investor’s Interest in Indonesian Infrastructure Builiding

A major Conference on the development of Indonesian infrastructure titled “Indonesia International Infrastructure Conference & Exhibition 2012” was inaugurated by Indonesian President Yudhoyono on 28th August 2012.

The three-day event organized at the Jakarta Convention Centre laid emphasis on the Indonesian Government Master Plan for the Acceleration and Expansion of Economic Development which focuses on development projects of about US $ 400 billion. The main focus is on infrastructure development across various Indonesian islands, particularly focusing on these corridors.

H.E. Mr. Gurjit Singh, the Ambassador of India to Indonesia was invited to speak at a special Plenary Session “Unlocking the Vast Economic Potential of Indonesia in Partnership with Asia Pacific Partners through Sustainable and Inclusive Infrastructure Development.” The Keynote Speaker for the Session was Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Mr. Hatta Rajasa. In the presentation, the Indian Ambassador spoke about infrastructure opportunities in India, the efforts made by the Government of India to enhance infrastructure development, the development of PPP models and the focus on new and renewable sources of energy.

Sharing India’s experience in developing infrastructure, the panel discussion focused on finding ways and means of associating Indian companies with the development of Indonesian infrastructure. It was also mentioned that greater B2B collaboration between Indian and Indonesian companies needs to be focused on.

GMR is one of the sponsors of the Conference which has also introduced regional opportunities through the Regional Conference on Sustainable and Inclusive Development Infrastructure which runs co-terminus with the Conference.

29th August 2012

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Embassy of India, Jakarta
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PRESS RELEASE

Indian Cultural Forum Launched

On the occasion of Independence Day, the Embassy of India launched an Indian Cultural Forum bringing together the Indian Community Organizations in Indonesia to coordinate their activities and to bring them in closer touch with the Embassy. About 40 organizations from across Indonesia participated in the event.

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Embassy of India, Jakarta
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PRESS RELEASE

Ambassador Gurjit Singh visits Medan

H.E. Shri Gurjit Singh, Ambassador of India to Indonesia, ASEAN and Timor Leste visited Medan from August 12-14, 2012. India opened its Consulate in Medan in 1949 which is one of the oldest Indian post overseas.

2. During the visit the Ambassador called on H.E. Gatot Pujonugroho, Governor of North Sumatra. The Ambassador said that his objective is to facilitate investment and strengthen economic relations. The Governor said that he is very happy that the Ambassador chose to visit Medan, soon after coming to Indonesia. The Governor underlined old historical and civilizational linkages between India and Indonesia and said that there is a need to further strengthen them. He appreciated Ambassador’s commitment to promote investment and said that he would be glad to extend all possible help. The Ambassador also offered five scholarships in different streams to the Governor.

3. The Ambassador also met with the Mayor of Medan H.E. Rahudman Harahap. The Ambassador said that the Indian Consulate in Medan will be doing series of cultural and business activities in days ahead and called for his support. The Mayor said that India-Indonesia must build on the existing civilizational ties.

4. The Ambassador also met with business professionals, university Rectors, senior professors from several Universities, media persons and local communities.

5. The Ambassador also visited several places of worship maintained by the local Indian Communities such as Gurudwara, Budha Vihara and Mariamman Temple.

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Embassy of India, Jakarta
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PRESS RELEASE

Independence Day celebrations at Embassy of India, Jakarta

The 66th Independence Day was marked at the Embassy of India in Jakarta, the Consulate General of India in Bali and the Consulate General of India in Medan with traditional gaiety and fervour. The Ambassador of India, H.E. Mr Gurjit Singh hoisted the National Flag at the Embassy premises and similar ceremonies took place at the Consulates.

Nearly 400 members of the Indian community, PIOs and Friends of India participated in the ceremony. About 150 school children from 3 Indian schools, Gandhi Memorial International School, the Rama International School and Texmaco DPS School sang the National Anthem and patriotic songs. The President’s address was read out by the Ambassador and the Consuls General in the respective places. A new publication “India-Scripting future histories” providing an overall view of India’s achievements was released on the occasion by the Ambassador.

On the occasion, the Embassy of India also launched an Indian Cultural Forum bringing together the Indian Community Organizations in Indonesia to coordinate their activities and to bring them in closer touch with the Embassy. About 40 organizations from across Indonesia participated in the event.

Embassy of India, Jakarta
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PRESS RELEASE

Indian Ambassador Calls On Defence Minister Purnomo Yusgiantoro

His Excellency Gurjit Singh, Ambassador of India to Indonesia and ASEAN paid a courtesy call on Dr. Ir. Purnomo Yusgiantoro, Honourable Defence Minister, Government of Republic of Indonesia, at Kemhan on 6th August 2012. The Indian Ambassador congratulated the Indonesian Defence Minister on wide ranging successes achieved by Indonesia in the matters related to defence and security at regional and global level. Ambassador Gurjit conveyed Government of India’s appreciation of tremendous bilateral defence cooperation achieved by the two friendly neighbours and emphasised Government of India’s resolve in partnering Indonesia in the South-South cooperation for overcoming mutually shared concerns and achieving common goals & objectives. The Indian Ambassador told Indonesian Defence Minister the stability Indonesia and Indonesian military provides to SE Asia. Indonesian Defence Minister Purnomo Yusgiantoro was appreciative of the close cooperation the two militaries enjoyed and spoke about enhancing the relationship to the next level.

The meeting between the Defence Minister of Indonesia with Indian Ambassador at Jakarta comes in the wake of the recently held 4th India-Indonesia Joint Commission Meeting held in New Delhi, which was co-chaired by Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa. Government of India is holding a series of commemorative events in Indonesia and SE Asia to celebrate ten years of India-ASEAN Partnership. Indonesia is likely to soon hold the annual bilateral defence cooperation meeting with India under the auspices of the defence cooperation agreement the two countries signed in 2001.

August 7, 2012

Embassy of India, Jakarta
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PRESS RELEASE

First ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) Delegation's visit to India

The ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) Delegation became the 1st international delegation to call on the President of India H. E. Mr. Pranab Mukherjee after his assumption of Office. The AIPA Delegation's first visit to India comes during ASEAN-India Commemorative Year. The visit from 29 July - 1August 2012 was at the invitation of the Hon'ble Speaker, Lok Sabha H. E. Ms. Meira Kumar. The delegation was led by the President of AIPA & Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Republic of Indonesia H.E. Dr. Marzuki Alie. The delegation included Dr. Subrahman Hidayat and Mr. Sidarto Darusubroto, Members of Parliament from Indonesia; Mr. Seng Han Thong, Member of Parliament from Singapore; Colonel Winai Sompong, Member of Parliament of Thailand and Dr.Ngo Duc Manh, Member of Parliament of Vietnam, besides Officials and media representatives.

On 31July, the AIPA delegation held discussions with the Hon'ble Speaker, Lok Sabha; the Leader of the Opposition, Lok Sabha Smt. Sushma Swaraj; and Minister of State in the External Affairs Ministry H. E. Mr. E. Ahmed. The Speaker, Lok Sabha also hosted a Dinner in the honour of the AIPA Delegation, which was attended by the Members of the Indian Parliament. The AIPA delegation visited Agra on 1 August before returning home.

Discussions during the various calls by the AIPA delegation took appreciative note of the ground covered by the ASEAN-India Dialogue Partnership over the last 20 years and the important role that it has in the continuing stability and development of the region and to global economic growth and prosperity. Both sides took note of the positive developments in the implementation of the ASEAN-India Plan of Action to implement the ASEAN-India Partnership for Peace, Progress and Shared Prosperity 2010-2015 and the relevance of geographic, institutional and people-to-people connectivity to future the relationship. President of AIPA took note of the economic potential of ASEAN and India, which together constitute a market of over 1.8 billion people. He supported the early conclusion of the ASEAN-India FTA on Services & Investment. He also requested India's support to the South East Asia Nuclear Weapons Free Zone and for a Drug Free ASEAN by 2015.

The AIPA delegation also conveyed that ASEAN countries were looking forward to the Commemorative Summit in New Delhi in December 2012. The AIPA delegation requested a more intensive relationship with Members of the Indian Parliament. President of AIPA & Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Republic of Indonesia conveyed an invitation for India to participate as Observer at the 33rd General Assembly of AIPA on 16-22 September 2012 in Lombok, Indonesia.

Embassy of India, Jakarta
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PRESS RELEASE

H.E. Mr. Gurjit Singh, Ambassador of India to Indonesia, ASEAN and Timor Leste hosted an ‘Iftar’ evening on 1st August 2012 at India House which was attended by about 200 people from all walks of life including a large number of Indonesian friends from political parties, bureaucracy, defence, education, media, culture and the like.

The function started with a Quran recital by Mustofa Tuwuh, well known International Qori.

Addressing the audience, the Chairman of Nahdlatul Ulama, Mr. K.H. Said Aqil Siroj, spoke about humanity and the need to keep harmony among all religions. Ambassador Gurjit Singh spoke about India’s composite culture with freedom of religion, equality of opportunity and the shared Islamic heritage with Indonesia.

A short documentary on ‘Islam in India’ was shown to an appreciative audience.

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2nd India-ASEAN Business Fair (IABF)
18-20 December 2012
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The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI), with the support of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India is organising the 2nd India-ASEAN Business Fair (IABF) & Business Conclave on 18-20 December 2012 in New Delhi.

Focus sectors for the Business Fair are: automotive and light engineering; chemicals and chemical products; infrastructure and construction; gems and jewellery; agriculture and food processing; textiles, handicrafts and accessories; service sectors (IT, ITES, tourism, health care and ayurveda, etc.). There will be no retail selling in the 2nd IABF as it will be a B2B Fair.

Broad Programme will be as follows

For further information, please visit: www.india-aseanbusinessfair.com

Embassy of India, Jakarta
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PRESS RELEASE

Visit of Indian Foreign Service Trainee Officers led by Dean, Foreign Service Institute & Vice Minister H.E. Dr. Ajai Choudhry

Eleven Indian Foreign Service Trainee Officers led by Dr. Ajai Choudhry, Dean, Foreign Service Institute and Vice Minister, visited Indonesia from 22-26th July 2012. The delegation called on the Foreign Minister of the Republic of Indonesia, H.E. Marty M. Natalegawa. The delegation also met with the Secretary General of ASEAN, H.E. Dr. Surin Pitsuwan. In Jakarta the delegation visited places of cultural and historical importance, before proceeding to Bali.

2. The Foreign Service Institute (FSI) was established in 1986, to cater to the professional training needs of the Indian Foreign Service officers of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). One of the primary activities of the Institute is the training of IFS Trainee officers with the objective of preparing them to handle wide range of tasks that they would be required to perform during their professional careers, both in Missions and Posts abroad as well as in India. The visit of the delegation was part of orientation tour to an important country in the region.

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26 July 2012

Embassy of India, Jakarta
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International Seminar on Energy Access
9-10 October 2012, New Delhi

In support of UN Declaration of “2012 as the International Year of Sustainable Energy for All”, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, Government of India is organizing Global Ministerial level “International Seminar on Energy Access” on 9-10 October 2012 at New Delhi.

For more details, please log on to http://www.mnre.gov.in/information/event/renewable-energy-world-india-2012-pragati-maidan-new-delhi-contract-91-124-452-4231

Embassy of India, Jakarta
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The Embassy of India
cordially invites all Indian Nationals and friends of India to a Flag Hoisting Ceremony
to mark the 66th Independence Day of India

On Wednesday, 15th August 2012 at 10.00 hrs at the Embassy of India,
Jl H.R. Rasuna Said Kav, S-1 Kuningan
Jakarta 12950

(All are requested to arrive by 09.45 hrs)

Embassy of India, Jakarta
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PRESS RELEASE

LAUNCH OF INDIA BUSINESS FORUM

The India Business Forum (IBF) was launched in Jakarta on 18 July 2012 at Four Seasons Hotel jointly by H.E. Mr. Gita Wirjawan, Minister of Trade, and H.E. Mr. Gurjit Singh, Ambassador of India in the presence of Mr. Suryo Sulisto, Chairman of KADIN and H.E. Mr. Andi Ghalib, Indonesian Ambassador to India. About 150 Indian CEOs, entrepreneurs and professionals in Indonesia were present on the occasion. The IBF was launched to bring together the Indian businesses and professional in Indonesia for a concerted effort towards an enhanced economic engagement with Indonesia. It will be a common platform for a cross section of companies and individuals working in Indonesia to fulfil the objective.

Minister of Trade of the Republic of Indonesia Mr. Gita Wirjawan congratulated the Ambassador on the launch of the IBF as a good initiative. He further said that in the current global situation, it will benefit both countries to improve and diversify their economic relationship. He said that both countries are yet to achieve the true potential of their economic partnership. Recollecting his three years stay in India, he said that he is looking forward to his visit later this year.

Ambassador in his address said that the Forum was set up not only to act as a facilitator for increased and diversified trade but also to seek more investment. He added that in order to expand trade, India Inc present here will work through this Forum with the Embassy to find ways for new technology transfer and new investments. He also said that IBF will look at new plans and visions and will play a facilitating role with the very friendly Government of Indonesia.

Mr. Suryo Sulisto, Chairman of KADIN, while congratulating on the Launch of the India Business Forum said that there are many similarities between the two countries and these can be further strengthened by working together for the benefit of both countries. This can result in improving our energy security, food security, manufacturing and processing industries and improving the quality of the human resources. He added that together we can find ways to enhance trade and investment in our countries.

'India finds that when we shake Indonesian hands, we have a firm handshake,” he said. “That is coming from a very long heritage of good relations, which are now becoming a very successful partnerships.'

In March this year, some 72 companies representing a broad swath of the Indian economy participated in the India Show in Jakarta as part of a new push to add dynamism to relations between Asia’s two largest democracies. The show was an unqualified success and heralded a new age in relations between the two nations. On the agenda were issues such as accelerating trade and investment and enhancing people-to-people ties so as to bring the countries closer together.

Indonesia and India have much in common. Both are large nations with diverse cultures and fast expanding economies. Both also share similar challenges to upgrade infrastructure and deal with rising urbanization. The two countries are also members of the G-20. But as Gurjit Singh, India’s new ambassador to Indonesia, noted in an interview with the Jakarta Globe, both sides could do more to forge a new partnership that would elevate both nations on the world stage.

“Recently we put out a YouTube video from the embassy with the title ‘Old Heritage, New Partnership,’ ” he said. “We have an age-old partnership, good political engagement and an established framework of cooperation, but the idea is how do we maximize this for mutual benefit?”

He added that the fact that Indonesia is a democracy, a market economy and is doing well in the world gives it the character of a bigger opportunity for developing a partnership.

“India today wants to develop this partnership and make it more dynamic and diverse,” he said. “In that there is no limitation in any area.”

The two sides already have frequent diplomatic and political exchanges but Singh aims to boost economic ties as one of his top priorities. He wants to make India a partner of choice for Indonesia, so it is not just what India wants but also what Indonesia needs, which will contribute to a successful partnership.

“In our mind, an expanded economic engagement is high on the priority list,” he said. “This does not only include trade but investment, participation in infrastructure development, developing Indonesia’s natural resources with value additions for the development of the whole country itself.”

Although trade between the two countries has been growing at a steady pace — it is well on the way to achieving a target of $25 billion by 2015 — investments have not kept pace.

“I would be much happier if I had $25 billion of investment but I think trade will grow by itself,” Singh said. “We already have large Indian investments in Indonesia, which are in excess of $10 billion, and I think this will grow rapidly.”

This is one area he is taking a personal interest in because he believes that bringing in investments leads to far more substantive cooperation and benefits than just boosting trade. For this reason, he wants to encourage Indian industrialists to build power plants, steel plants and smelters for processing minerals, as well as putting up manufacturing plants.

“We are confident that Indian FDIs will become an important player in Indonesia,” he said. “We are also looking at the various economic corridors to see if we can aggregate something by putting in greater diversity, which will also help in diversifying more Indonesian exports away from commodities.”

There is, therefore, a shifting of gears from having large trade to having large investments. The career diplomat, who has had postings in Africa, Japan and Italy, has been pleasantly surprised by Jakarta’s modern skyline and its metropolitan makeup.

“To be honest, when I first came here, I was a bit surprised at how modern Jakarta was,” he said. “I knew it was modern but perhaps it was beyond my initial expectation so obviously there has been a big boom here.”

He has, therefore, had to reorient his thinking in that he was dealing not just with any country but a country and a people in full bloom. “When you are blooming, there are many bees hovering around the flower, so the challenge for me would be how I am not just one bee and I need to make a hive.” He has also been impressed with the vibrancy of the local press, which he said is critical to his understanding the country. “You see fairly open debate on many issues, cogent editorials and open-minded op-ed pages,” he said. “This level of open-minded debate and discussion helps my understanding of this country.”

The other big surprise for him was discovering how young Indonesia’s population is and in this regard it is very much like India. More than 30 percent of Indonesians are under 35 years of age, a fact that changes the dynamics of engagement and offers huge opportunities for foreign and domestic investors.

Given the country’s youthful population, Singh said he hoped to visit universities across the country to engage directly with the youth and to look for opportunities to form deeper cooperation with Indian universities.

“I want to reach out to the people of Indonesia at all levels,” he said. With so much diplomatic and economic activity between the two countries, he added, it is a good time for an Indian ambassador to be posted to Indonesia.

“India finds that when we shake Indonesian hands, we have a firm handshake,” he said. “That is coming from a very long heritage of good relations, which are now becoming a very successful partnerships.”

Embassy of India, Jakarta
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PRESS RELEASE

Visit of Minister of State for Human Resource Development to Indonesia for the First EAS Education Ministers Meeting

Minister of State for Human Resource Development of India H. E. Dr. D. Purandeswari led the Indian delegation at the First East Asia Summuit Education Ministers Meeting (EAS EMM), held in Yogyakarta, Indonesia on 5 July 2012. The Indian delegation comprised H. E. Mr. Gurjit Singh, Ambassador of India to Indonesia and the ASEAN; Dr. R. Govinda, Vice Chancellor of National University for Educational Planning and Administration (NUEPA); Ms. Radha Chauhan, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Human Resource Development; Mr. K. Gunasekaran, Additional Secretary, University Grants Commission of India and Mr. Nikhilesh Giri, First Secretary (ASEAN), Embassy of India, Jakarta.

In her statement at the EAS EMM, the Minister stated that time had come to evolve a strategy to promote educational cooperation among the EAS countries to harness credit transfer, mutual recognition of degrees, free flow of highly qualified people, earmarking of seats for students from member countries in reputed institutions in the region, setting up corpus fund to promote research, etc.

She conveyed India's proposal to establish an EAS Regional Leadership Development Programme, with the objective of providing access to higher education for the generation of future leadership in the areas of regional importance.

India also expressed its interest in linking its National Qualification Framework (NQF) to regional framework development. This will usher in Regional Inter-Operability of National Qualification Frameworks and ensure mobility within the EAS participating countries.

Regional integration and harmonization of skills are considered the overarching intervention needed in TVET to address the major issues brought about by the emerging economic, social and technological trends. A flexible approach with different pedagogy and more focus for employers' engagement and ownership are the key success factors for TVET for which sharing of best practices across the region can be integrated to leverage the potential of skill development and competitiveness. Facilitating TVET Teacher and Student Mobility would benefit from a regional approach and India will take the lead in this project.

On the margins of the EAS EMM, Dr. Purandeswari also held bilateral meetings with the Ministrer of Education and Culture of Indonesia H. E. Prof. Dr. Muhammad Nuh; Minister of Education of Australia Hon’ble Christopher Evans; Minister of Education of New Zealand Hon’ble Steven Joice; and the US Deputy Secretary for Education Senator Anthony Wilder Miller to review progress in bilateral cooperation in the field of education. They also exchange notes on the approaches of the respective countries on future plans for educational cooperation under the EAS framework.

India and Indonesia also held their second meeting of the Joint Working Group on Education in Yogyakarta on 4 July. The Indian and Indonesian delegations were led by Dr. R. Govinda, Vice Channcellor, NUEPA and Dr. Harris Iskandar, Secretary at the Direcorate General for Education. Both sides agreed on concerete plans for exchange of students and faculty under various scholarship schemes; research collaboartion; and twinning of universities.

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5 July 2012

NOTICE

The Embassy of India invites quotations for painting work of the exterior of the chancery building, residential complex, and the boundary wall of the Embassy located at Jl.H.R.Rasuna Said, Kav.S-1, Jakarta. The scope of work can be inspected with prior appointment.

Interested parties may contact telephone numbers 021-5204191, or 5204150 extn:35 for terms and conditions related to the work, and for appointment for inspection.

Rakesh Kumar Arora
Head of Chancery
Dt:5 July 2012

Embassy of India, Jakarta
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PRESS RELEASE

Ambassador meets Chairman of the People’s Consultative Assembly

The Indian Ambassador Gurjit Singh called on H.E. Mr. H.M. Taufiq Kiemas, Chairman of the People’s Consultative Assembly of the Republic of Indonesia today morning.

Ambassador said that India and Indonesia share a historical relationship which has grown exponentially over the years both politically and economically. India and Indonesia have been collaborating together in several fields and international fora. Ambassador mentioned that investment from India to Indonesia is growing rapidly, with a 40% increase last year, and Indian companies are looking forward to work with Indonesian companies in public private partnership model. He further said that both India and Indonesia have a young population who can become productive assets of our development and in this regard mentioned that India has several scholarships and ITEC courses which are being availed by young Indonesians.

Acknowledging the historical and civilization ties between India and Indonesia, the Chairman of the People’s Consultative Assembly of Republic of Indonesia, said that he looked forward to further strengthening of bilateral relations and welcomed Indian investment in various sectors. He mentioned the Pharmaceutical sector as one of the areas in which Indian investment could be used to increase the benefit to the people of Indonesia.

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28th June 2012

Embassy of India, Jakarta
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PRESS RELEASE

Indian Ambassador presents credentials to the ASEAN Secretary General

Dr. Surin Pitsuwan, Secretary General of ASEAN received the letter of credentials presented by H.E. Mr. Gurjit Singh, Ambassador of India to the ASEAN at the ASEAN Secretariat today morning.

2. Dr. Surin extended his warm welcome to Ambassador Singh and conveyed ASEAN’s appreciation for India’s support and contribution to the regional grouping’s endeavours for community building in all the three pillars, i.e. political security, economic and socio cultural. He also recalled the civilisational and cultural bonding many ASEAN Member States shared with India. Ambassador Singh, in turn, conveyed that India’s relations with the ASEAN were central to India’s ‘Look East’ Policy. While expressing satisfaction at the increase in intensity of ASEAN-India functional cooperation across a range of sectors, including trade and investment, agriculture, science and technology, space, tourism, information and communication technology, environment, education etc, Ambassador Singh stressed the enormity of scope for doing more to ‘contemporarise’ the partnership.

3. The Secretary General assured Ambassador Singh of the ASEAN Secretariat’s continued support to the large number of commemorative activities being organized by India and the ASEAN Member States to celebrate 20th Anniversary of ASEAN-India Dialogue Relations and ten years of Summit level partnership this year. India has already hosted the ASEAN-centric Delhi Dialogue IV in February. Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) hosted the Heads of Space Agencies from ASEAN Member States in Bangalore on 17-19 June 2012. Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore is hosting a meeting of environment experts from ASEAN Member States and India on 27-29 June 2012 to develop a Regional Action Plan on Climate Change Adaptation. Several other such activities are under various stages of planning in the run up to the Commemorative Summit that India will host in New Delhi in December. To highlight the importance of land and maritime connectivity, India is also working with ASEAN Member States on an ASEAN-India Car Rally and a Sail Ship Expedition, with marker events in the form of business and investment seminars, cultural performances and tourism road shows in both India and ASEAN Member States.

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27 June 2012

Embassy of India, Jakarta
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PRESS RELEASE

INDIA LOOKS TO EXPAND BUSINESS WITH INDONESIA
DELEGATION VISITING JAKARTA AND BATAM

An Indian delegation from the Ministry of Commerce and Industry led by Mr. Sanjeet Singh, Director, Ms. Reshma Lakhani, Joint Development Commissioner, Santacruz Electronics Export Processing Zone – Special Economic Zone (SEEPZ SEZ) and a business delegation mounted by the Export Promotion Council of EOUs and SEZs is visiting Indonesia from 25 to 27 June 2012.

A Seminar on Trade and Investment Opportunities in Special Economic Zones (SEZs) in India was held at KADIN on 25 June where the Indian delegation made presentations about the opportunities, facilities and regulatory framework in the Indian SEZs in order to attract investment from Indonesia.

Mr. Peter Gontha, Vice Chairman, KADIN, welcomed the Indian delegation. In his opening remarks, he recalled the historical close relationship between the two countries. He further mentioned the strengths and weaknesses of the Indonesian economy and its growth story. He also called upon cooperation with India in the education sector. In his remarks, Mr. Gurjit Singh, Ambassador of India, emphasised that trade is one part of the engagement and the endeavor should be to get large Indian investments into Indonesia. He called upon the Indian delegation to also look for opportunities to invest in Indonesia in view of the abundant opportunities available in various sectors. He promised to work with Indonesia in human resource development and capacity building sectors. He explained the value and opportunities under the ITEC programme.

Later on, the delegation paid a visit to PT. Kawasan Berikat Nusantara bonded zone to know the facilities and regulatory framework for investment in Indonesian bonded zones. The delegation exchanged views with the authorities of the bonded zone.
The delegation visited Batam where their programme included visits to Batamindo Industrial Park and Kabil Industrial Estate.

The First Meeting of the Joint Consultative Committee between SEEPZ-SEZ and BIFZA (Batam Indonesia Free Zone Authority) took place during the visit in pursuance of the MoU between the two organizations signed during the visit of President Yudhoyono to India in January 2011.

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25 June 2012

Embassy of India, Jakarta
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PRESS RELEASE

India to promote greater investment in East Jawa

Indian companies are looking for greater opportunities in East Jawa and they are welcomed by the Administration of the region. This emanated during a call by the new Ambassador of India H.E. Mr Gurjit Singh on H.E. Dr H.Soekarwo, Governor of East Jawa when Ambassador Singh made his first visit outside Jakarta to Surabaya, the second largest city in Indonesia. The Governor pointed out the growth of trade between India and East Jawa and sought greater investments. Ambassador Singh in his response indicated that business delegations from India would include Surabaya as part of their tours to explore greater possibilities.

Major Indian companies have already made substantiall investments in East Jawa and more plans will be considered, according to Ambassador Singh. The areas which will be identified in consultation with the Governor’s office would also include steel/textile, education and human resource development.

India would offer five technical scholarships to East Jawa region through the Governor’s office for short term training programmes in India. Ambassador Singh made these offers to the Governor. He also mentioned that several students of East Jawa have been shortlisted for grant of scholarships for graduate studies in India and would be leaving for India in the current academic year.

During the visit Ambassador Singh also visited PT.PAL Indonesia (Persero) which have a Memorandum of Understanding with the Pipavav Shipyard Ltd and met with a cross section of senior educationists from the Universities of East Jawa to discuss further educational collaboration.

Ambassador Singh, along with the Mayor of Surabaya, Tri Risma Harini inaugurated the new building of the Spins International School, a prominent investment by an Indian company into the field of education in East Jawa.

25 June 2012

Embassy of India, Jakarta
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PRESS RELEASE

Ambassador meets Vice President, Republic of Indonesia
The Ambassador of India to Indonesia Mr Gurjit Singh called on the Vice President of Indonesia HE Prof Dr Boediono on 20th June 2012.

The Ambassador has outlined his ideas for taking the success of India- Indonesia relations forward.

The Vice President agreed with the ideas of Ambassador. The Vice President emphasized the need to increase co-operation between India and Indonesia in various fields. He said though trade is important but investment is more fundamental and welcomed Indian investment in Indonesia preferably in Public Private Partnership (PPP) model. There is a potential of growth in Indonesia in supply side and infrastructure where India can join hands to get the benefit of domestic market.

The Vice President said that Indian higher education is of world standard and to develop human resources in Indonesia both countries may explore the possibility of student and faculty exchange program, joint establishment of higher education institutes in Indonesia etc.

The Vice President stated that India and Indonesia have traditional cultural linkages and there is a cultural bridge between the two countries which should be used to further deepen mutual cultural ties and people to people contact.

Dated 20 June 2012

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Embassy of India, Jakarta
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PRESS RELEASE

India Post led by a senior delegation is currently participating in the World Stamp Exhibition being held from June 18-24, 2012 at Jakarta Convention Centre. The Indian Booth would be selling Indian stamps and other philatelic products and also interact with the philatelic community.

To mark this occasion, two commemorative stamps on Shekhawati and Warli paintings were released by Ambassador Gurjit Singh on 20th June 2012. The design of the stamps on Shekhawati and Warli paintings depict the culture and tradition of the states of Rajasthan and Maharashtra and commemorate the rich heritage of Indian paintings

Speaking on the occasion, Ambassador Gurjit Singh said that the exhibition provides an excellent opportunity for philately enthusiasts in Indonesia to experience the rich and vast array of Indian stamps on display at the Indian booth and have an interface with the delegation. He congratulated the organizers- the Philately Association of Indonesia, Federation Internationale de Philatelie, and the Ministry of Communication and Informatics for the successfully organizing the exhibition and the wonderful support extended to India Post.

India Post has been the backbone of India’s communication network and core of its socio-economic development for the last 150 years. It has touched the lives of every citizen, be it through mail, banking, insurance, and money transfer or retail services. It has a network of 154866 post offices in the country, the largest in the world, of which 139040 are in the rural areas. Its mission objective is to sustain its position as the largest postal network in the world touching the lives of every citizen in the country.

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Embassy of India, Jakarta

NEW VISA APPLICATION PROCEDURE

FROM JUNE 2012, ALL VISA APPLICATIONS WILL BE PROCESSED ONLINE. THIS PROCEDURE WILL START ON 01 JUNE AND THE TRANSITIION WILL BE COMPLETED BY 30 JUNE 2012. ALL APPLICANTS WILL HAVE TO REGISTER THEMSELVES ONLINE AND ENTER ALL RELEVANT DATA REQUIRED AS PER THE APPLICATION FORM. AFTER REGISTERING, A PRINT OUT OF THE APPLICATION FORM IS REQUIRED TO BE TAKEN AND SUBMITTED AT THE VISA COUNTER OF THE INDIAN EMBASSY, JAKARTA, ALONG WITH THE REQUISITE VISA FEE IN RUPIAH, 2 PHOTOS AND OTHER SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS. FROM 01 JULY 2012, NO APPLICATION(S) WILL BE ACCEPTED DIRECTLY WITHOUT FIRST BEING REGISTERED ONLINE. 

THE ONLINE REGISTRATION WILL BE DONE ON https//indianvisaonline.gov.in

KEDUTAAN BESAR INDIA, JAKARTA

PROSEDUR BARU UNTUK PERMOHONAN VISA

MULAI BULAN JUNI 2012, SEMUA PERMOHONAN VISA AKAN DIPROSES LEWAT INTERNET. PROSEDUR INI MULAI BERLAKU SEJAK TANGGAL 1 JUNI DAN TRANSISI INI AKAN SELESAI PADA TANGGAL 30 JUNI 2012. SEMUA PEMOHON VISA HARUS MENDAFTARKAN DIRI LEWAT INTERNET DAN MEMASUKAN SEMUA DATA RELEVAN YANG DIPERLUKAN SESUAI DENGAN FORMULIR VISA YANG DIINGINKAN. SETELAH MENDAFTAR, CETAK FORMULIR VISA TERSEBUT DAN DISERAHKAN KE LOKET KONSULAR DI KEDUTAAN BESAR INDIA, JAKARTA, BERSAMA DENGAN BIAYA VISA DALAM MATA UANG RUPIAH, DUA PAS FOTO, DAN DOKUMEN PENDUKUNG LAINNYA. MULAI TANGGAL 1 JULI 2012, PERMOHONAN VISA LANGSUNG DI LOKET TIDAK AKAN DILAYANI, HARUS MENDAFTAR LEWAT INTERNET SEBELUMNYA.

PENDAFTARAN LEWAT INTERNET BISA DIUNDUH DI https//indianvisaonline.gov.in

Embassy of India, Jakarta

PRESS RELEASE

Federation of Indian Women Entrepreneurs (FIWE), an apex body of associations of women entrepreneurs and professionals spread across length & breadth in India, is organizing the 12th Global Conference on “Trade Liberalization and its global impact on women entrepreneurs", in association with International Federation of women entrepreneurs (IFWE) of UK.This conference would provide a common platform for networking, sharing ideas, exploring business opportunities, discussing tools, technologies, and processes in trade and entrepreneurs business, in New Delhi (India) from 3-4 September, 2012.

In association with IFWE, FIWE is commemorating “PRIYADARSHINI AWARD” also in the name of ‘Late Smt. Indira Gandhi’ to the women who have left a trail of success in the related field, entirely dedicated to foster economic empowerment of women.
Many of the winners today are considered outstanding achievers in their countries. Former Priyadarshini Awardees like Ms Jennet from Srilanka, Ms Martha Thiller of Indonesia and Ms Shahnaz Hussain of India are well known entrepreneurs and role models for new generations in their respective countries.

The conference is an opportunity to appreciate the efforts of the members of your organization and nominate the names of outstanding women entrepreneurs for “PRIYADARSHINI AWARD” along with the 12th Global Conference which will out mostly provide amalgamation of like-minded peoples from different sectors and fields, with their success stories, innovation and ideas.

A nomination for “PRIYADARSHINI AWARD” can be made by an organization in Indonesia. The nomination will be considered by an independent jury of the Award Committee. They will look for someone who has made a difference in their field of work.
For further details, please visit FIWE website – www.fiwe.org or contact Mr. Rakesh K. Arora, First Secretary (Economic and Commerce), Embassy of India, Jakarta at commercewing@net-zap.com.

6 June 2012

Ambassador –designate- Sh. Gurjit Singh inaugurated the free Tamil language classes and the Tamil Library at the Jawaharlal Nehru Indian Culture Centre (JNICC) at Jakarta on 21st April 2012. This initiative has been brought about by JNICC, Jakarta in association with Indonesia Tamil Sangam (ITS), Jakarta.

The free Tamil classes will be held at JNICC, Jakarta every Saturday from 0900 to 1000hrs. The Tamil classes are open to all Indonesians, Indians and other expatriates living in Indonesia. News coverage on the event appeared in Jakarta Post on 23rd April and can also be viewed on website edition of Jakarta Post at http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2012/04/23/indian-cultural-center-offers-free-tamil-language-course.html