South Asia

Chennai, Jan 28 (IANS) Thirteen Indian fishermen from Tamil Nadu were arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy early Tuesday morning for allegedly crossing the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL). Their mechanised fishing boat was also seized.

The arrested fishermen, hailing from Rameswaram and Pudukottai, were taken to Jaffna in Sri Lanka, where they are expected to be questioned and presented before a judicial magistrate.

This arrest brings the total number of Tamil Nadu fishermen detained by Sri Lankan authorities over the past three days to 47. Three high-value mechanised boats have also been confiscated during this period.

The arrests have once again highlighted the precarious situation of Tamil Nadu’s fishing community, who face frequent detentions while fishing in the Palk Bay region. Fishermen’s associations across the state have condemned the latest arrests, citing severe economic hardship and growing fear within the community.

The associations have announced large-scale protests in coastal districts and have written to the Prime Minister, demanding immediate action to prevent such mid-sea arrests and secure the release of the detained fishermen and their boats.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin had earlier written to Union External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, urging immediate diplomatic intervention to ensure the release of Indian fishermen detained by Sri Lanka.

In his letter dated January 12, CM Stalin expressed deep concern over the recurring arrests, emphasising the economic challenges faced by fishing communities. “The recurring arrests and boat seizures have severely undermined the livelihoods of our fishermen. Swift action is required to secure their release and safeguard their rights,” CM Stalin wrote.

Union Minister S. Jaishankar reportedly raised the issue with Sri Lankan President Anura Dissanayake during the latter’s recent visit to India. However, despite these discussions, the arrests continue, causing mounting frustration and fear within the fishing community.

Fishermen’s leaders from Tamil Nadu have criticised both the Union and state governments for failing to address the crisis effectively. Antony John, a leader from Rameswaram, said, “Fishing in the Palk Bay is no longer safe. We are losing not only our livelihoods but also our properties to Sri Lankan authorities. Since 2018, around 270 trawlers have been impounded.”

Rajagopal C.M., another leader from Thangachimadam, echoed these sentiments, accusing the governments of neglecting the plight of the fisherfolk. He pointed out that many detained fishermen remain in Sri Lankan jails, leaving their families in dire financial straits.

It may be noted that since June 16, 2024, the Sri Lankan Navy has detained 425 Tamil Nadu fishermen and seized 58 fishing boats. The arrests have sparked widespread protests and demands for a long-term resolution to the conflict.

The latest arrests underscore the urgent need for a coordinated diplomatic effort between India and Sri Lanka to address the recurring detentions and protect the livelihoods of Tamil Nadu’s fishing communities. Former Union Minister and Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) President Anbumani Ramadoss has also called for strong measures by the Indian government to prevent further arrests and safeguard the interests of the fishermen. This longstanding issue highlights the importance of resolving boundary disputes and ensuring that fishermen can pursue their traditional livelihood without fear or uncertainty.

--IANS

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Gurugram, Jan 27 (IANS) In a crackdown on illegal immigration, the Gurugram Police arrested three Bangladeshi nationals for illegally residing in the Manesar area without valid documents.

The trio had allegedly used fake documents to gain entry into the country and bypass immigration checks, police said.

The accused have been identified as Fatima alias Lomiya (21), Khadija alias Tanisha (25) and Mohammad Habib (19), all residents of Bangladesh.

During police interrogation, it was found that the trio are siblings.

According to the police, Fatima was brought to India by another Bangladeshi girl about three years ago. She contacted her sister Khadija and called her to India as well. Khadija and Mohammad Habib had come to India three to four months ago.

Police also booked an unknown man who helped these accused make fake Indian documents and his search is going on, police said.

The trio have been booked under BNS sections 318(4), 336(2), 336(3), 340(2), 3(5), Foreigners Act sections 14 (A) (B) and (C) and sections 12(1)(C) of the Passports Act.

Gurugram Police started a special campaign against Rohingya and other foreigners living illegally in Gurugram.

Under the campaign, Rohingya and Bangladeshis living illegally in Gurugram are being checked in different areas of the city.

Under this special campaign, 15 police teams were formed for this campaign. These teams conducted special checks at various places like slums, colonies, and hotels in the area of ​​Gurugram.

Police said the landlords must ensure police verification of landlords and action would also be taken against the landlords of tenants living without police verification.

"If anyone is found staying illegally, action is being taken as per rules against them. In addition, if anyone is found providing housing facility illegally without police verification, FIR will be registered against them," Sandeep Kumar, spokesperson of the Gurugram police said.

"The Gurugram Police appeals to everyone to get their tenants, workers and hotel workers police verification so that no criminal activity takes place in your area or in the society. If there is any suspicious person living around you, immediately inform the police control," he added.

--IANS

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Tel Aviv, Jan 26 (IANS) Israel recorded 439 traffic fatalities in 2024, a 21.6 per cent rise compared to the 361 deaths registered in 2023, according to a statement issued by the Israel Bureau of Statistics on Sunday.

The bureau noted that the number of fatalities last year was the highest since 2006, when 439 people were killed in traffic accidents in Israel, Xinhua news agency reported.

The number of fatal accidents in the country rose by 19.8 per cent year-on-year, from 338 in 2023 to 405 in 2024.

The main causes of traffic accidents resulting in fatalities or serious injuries in 2024 were failure to yield to pedestrians, ignoring traffic lights, lane crossing, and excessive speed, Israel's National Road Safety Authority revealed in a press release in early January.

Israel recorded 351 road deaths in 2022, 1.7 per cent above the pre-Covid-19 period. The traffic volumes resumed at the 2019 level. The most significant increase was recorded among the powered two wheeler users, mainly due to their use as a means of transport.

Due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on mobility and road crashes, the data for 2020 and 2021 represent a poor reference point for benchmarking.

Israel recorded 351 road deaths in 2022, an increase of 1.7 per cent compared with the average for 2017-19. The traffic volumes in 2022 resumed to the level of 2019.

In 2024, Israeli former National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir was injured in the central city of Ramle Friday when his official car flipped over in an accident.

Ben-Gvir's daughter, one of his bodyguards and the driver of the other vehicle were all lightly injured.

--IANS

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Mahakumbh Nagar, Jan 26 (IANS) Over 13 crore pilgrims have taken the holy dip so far on the banks of Sangam as the mega festival of Mahakumbh 2025 is being celebrated with great enthusiasm and excitement, drawing believers in Sanatan culture from all walks of life across the country and the world.

Sunday witnessed another sea of pilgrims congregating along the banks of Sangam. A massive crowd estimated at lakhs took the holy dip.

Figures suggested that over 1.74 crore people took the holy dip till 8.30 p.m. on Sunday.

Till January 26, a total of 13.21 crore pilgrims took the holy dip of faith.

As per the data, the number went dramatically high on Sunday compared to Saturday as the number of pilgrims who took the holy dip on January 25 was 11.47 crore.

Besides, till Sunday, over 10 lakh Kalpavasis took the holy bath.

Meanwhile, on Sunday, former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister and Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav also took a dip of faith.

Samajwadi Party leaders and workers were also present along with Akhilesh Yadav.

Akhilesh Yadav took a bath in the Sangam and offered 'Arghya' to the Sun.

Later, interacting with the mediapersons, the former Uttar Pradesh chief minister said: "I have taken a total of 11 dips. Let's take a resolve today that a positive message should come out of the Mahakumbh. Whenever we remember Kumbh, the spirit of harmony, goodwill and tolerance always remain. I had earlier taken a bath in Haridwar, and today I got a chance to take a bath in Sangam."

Meanwhile, a sea of devotees has started converging in Prayagraj for the Maha Kumbh ahead of Mauni Amavasya, the biggest snan (bathing day) of the two-month long mela.

With the weekend rush ahead of the auspicious day, the city is witnessing a surge of pilgrims from all corners. Railway stations, bus stops, and highways are brimming with pilgrims, all eager to reach Sangam for taking a holy dip on the day.

In the past two days (Friday and Saturday), over 1.25 crore devotees have taken bath at the Sangam. The crowd is expected to swell significantly, with an estimated 8-10 crore devotees expected to take bath on the day of Mauni Amavasya.

The fair administration and Kumbh police have implemented extensive preparations, to ensure a seamless experience for the devotees.

To maintain order and ensure smooth movement, the entire fair area has been declared a no-vehicle zone. Rapid progress is being made to install barricades along the banks to manage the crowd effectively.

Special arrangements have been made across all sectors and zones to facilitate the movement of devotees. No special protocol will be applicable during the Amrit Snan festival to prioritise public convenience.

The Integrated Control and Command Center (ICCC) has been activated to monitor crowd density and ensure that no excessive gathering takes place.

Quick-response teams have been deployed in high-density areas to handle emergencies, while major routes are being closely monitored. Surveillance is also being conducted to track suspicious individuals and prevent any untoward incidents.

Devotees are being encouraged to download the official chatbot of the fair. This chatbot provides comprehensive information to make their journey more convenient. In addition to the chatbot, Google navigation and on-ground police personnel will assist pilgrims in finding the correct routes.

--IANS

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Kampala, Jan. 26 (IANS) A Turkish Airlines plane with flight number TK612 en route from Uganda's Entebbe International Airport to Istanbul did not proceed to its final destination over safety precautions, an air transport regulator said here on Sunday.

The Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA), a state-run air transport regulator, posted on X that the A333 aircraft successfully returned and landed at Entebbe International Airport at 1050 hours on Sunday after safely circling Ugandan airspace for more than three hours to reduce fuel to the required safe landing weight, Xinhua news agency reported.

The UCAA said all the 269 people on board were safe. The regulator did not mention what the safety issue was but said, "The precautionary measures taken are standard safety procedures in the aviation industry."

Turkish Airlines is the flag carrier of Turkey and as of June 2024, it operates scheduled services to 352 destinations (including cargo) in Europe, Asia, Oceania, Africa, and the Americas.

The airline serves more destinations non-stop from a single airport than any other airline in the world and flies to 131 countries, more than any other airline.

With an operational fleet of 24 cargo aircraft, the airline's cargo division Turkish Cargo serves 82 destinations.

The airline also owns a low-cost subsidiary, AJet.

The airline's corporate headquarters are on the grounds of Istanbul Atatürk Airport in Yesilkoy, Bakırkoy, Istanbul.

The airline's main base is Istanbul Airport in Arnavutkoy. It has been a member of the Star Alliance network since 1 April 2008.

--IANS

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Kyiv, Jan 26 (IANS) Ukrainian forces have struck facilities of the Ryazan Oil Refining Company in western Russia for the second time in less than a week, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine said in a statement on Sunday.

According to the statement, explosions and fire were recorded in the targeted area following the attack, Xinhua news agency reported.

"The Ryazan Oil Refinery is one of the four largest refineries in the Russian Federation. The enterprise, in particular, produces diesel fuel and TS-1 jet fuel," the statement said.

Ryazan was involved in supplying fuel to the Russian military, it said.

The General Staff reported that Ukrainian missile forces also struck the forward command post of the Russian Pacific Fleet's operational group near the Korenevo settlement in Russia's western Kursk region. No further details regarding the attack were provided.

The General Staff said that Ukrainian drone strikes on Friday caused fires at Ryazan's production facilities and oil pumping station.

The Russo-Ukrainian War began in February 2014. Following Ukraine's Revolution of Dignity, Russia occupied and annexed Crimea from Ukraine and supported pro-Russian separatists fighting the Ukrainian military in the Donbas War. These first eight years of conflict also included naval incidents and cyberwarfare. In February 2022, Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine and began occupying more of the country, starting the biggest conflict in Europe since World War II. The war has resulted in a refugee crisis and tens of thousands of deaths.

In early 2014, the Euromaidan protests led to the Revolution of Dignity and the ousting of Ukraine's pro-Russian president Viktor Yanukovych. Shortly after, pro-Russian unrest erupted in eastern and southern Ukraine, while unmarked Russian troops occupied Crimea. Russia soon annexed Crimea after a highly disputed referendum.

In April 2014, Russian-backed militants seized towns in Ukraine's eastern Donbas region and proclaimed the Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) and the Luhansk People's Republic (LPR) as independent states, starting the Donbas war. Russia covertly supported the separatists with its own troops, tanks and artillery, preventing Ukraine from fully retaking the territory.

In February 2015, Russia and Ukraine signed the Minsk II agreements, but they were never fully implemented in the years that followed. The Donbas war settled into a violent but static conflict between Ukraine and the Russian and separatist forces, with many brief ceasefires but no lasting peace and few changes in territorial control.

--IANS

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Damascus, Jan 26 (IANS) The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based war monitor, said on Sunday that it has documented 91 incidents of assassinations and retaliatory crimes by armed groups in Syria since the beginning of 2025, many motivated by political or sectarian hatred.

According to a statement released by the observatory, the wave of violence has reached its worst levels in provinces such as Homs, Hama, and Latakia, home to many Shiite and Alawite minority communities, Xinhua news agency reported.

The observatory stressed the "urgent need for decisive measures to protect civilians and hold perpetrators accountable."

Rami Abdul Rahman, the observatory's director, attributed much of the turmoil to "undisciplined groups" who joined the new Military Operations Administration after the fall of former President Bashar al-Assad in December 2024.

Abdul Rahman singled out incidents in the village of Fahal in northern Homs, alleging that at least 15 people -- mostly former officers who had undergone so-called reconciliation with the new authorities -- were executed after security forces reportedly stormed the area.

Despite Homs Governor Abed al-Rahman al-Ama and Police Chief Ubada Arnaout have expressed a commitment to curbing the violence, Abdul Rahman suggests that new volunteer militias "carry out retaliatory acts, not true justice."

Sectarian killings have increased since the downfall of Assad's regime in December, amid political upheaval and shifting territorial alliances.

Syrian officials from the new leadership have repeatedly pledged to unify security operations under a single chain of command. However, the situation on the ground remains fragile, largely due to years of prolonged crisis in Syria, where Shiite and Alawite officers and militias were pitted against a Sunni insurgency nationwide.

--IANS

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Beirut, Jan 26 (IANS) The death toll from Israeli gunfire targeting crowds of Lebanese trying to return to their homes in southern Lebanon has risen to 11, with 83 others injured, the Lebanese Health Ministry said on Sunday.

Ten of the eleven victims were civilians trying to return to their still-occupied hometowns along Lebanon's southern border with Israel, while the eleventh was a soldier killed in al-Dhahira, also in southern Lebanon, Xinhua news agency reported.

"Conditions are not yet in place for the safe return of citizens to their villages along the Blue Line," Chief of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) Aroldo Lazaro Saenz, and United Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, said on Sunday in a joint statement following the incident.

"Displaced communities, already facing a long road to recovery and reconstruction, are therefore once again being called on to exercise caution."

Meanwhile, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun urged residents of southern Lebanon on Sunday to exercise restraint and trust the Lebanese Armed Forces to safeguard security and sovereignty.

"This is a day of triumph for justice, sovereignty, and national unity," he said in a statement released by Lebanon's Presidency, calling on citizens to remain composed and rely on the military to ensure their safe return to their homes and towns.

Sunday marks the end of a 60-day deadline for Israel's withdrawal from Lebanese territories. Under a ceasefire agreement reached in late November after months of conflict between Israel and the Lebanese armed group Hezbollah, the Lebanese army would take control of the areas south of the Litani River, ensuring its security and preventing any presence of weapons and militants.

Despite the ceasefire agreement, the Israeli army has continued to carry out strikes in Lebanon, some of which have caused deaths and injuries in the border areas.

--IANS

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New Delhi, Jan 11 (IANS) The future of regional cooperation in South Asia is currently at a pivotal juncture, shaped by its historical context. While initiatives such as the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) have largely failed to achieve the anticipated pan-regional free trade, another important forum, the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC), risks facing a similar fate unless significant intervention occurs from its largest member states, namely India and Bangladesh.

These concerns have been exacerbated by the recent political upheaval in Bangladesh in August 2024, which followed a prolonged student-led mass movement that resulted in the removal of long-serving Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

This development has been widely interpreted as indicative of a major shift in Bangladesh's domestic and foreign policy, particularly regarding its bilateral relations with India.

As Bangladesh navigates this new political landscape within the broader regional geopolitical context, it becomes essential for the country's new leadership -- regardless of its interim status -- to leverage Dhaka's strategic importance and continue contributing to regional cooperation grounded in mutual respect.

Despite the destabilising effects of the political upheaval in August 2024 and the external pressures on Dhaka to adjust its regional strategic relationships, potentially leading to a distancing from New Delhi, the Indo-Bangla relationship seems to be weathering these challenges with a notable degree of resilience.

As highlighted by Bangladesh’s Chief of Army Staff General Waker-Uz-Zaman, this relationship is characterised by a "give-and-take" dynamic, where Dhaka's dependence on India aligns with New Delhi’s vested interests in maintaining stability in Bangladesh, alongside a growing convergence of their regional and global strategic objectives.

Furthermore, the ongoing alignment of mutual interests, particularly in promoting regional economic integration through frameworks such as BIMSTEC and SAARC, continues to strengthen this bilateral engagement.

These platforms not only have the potential to spark an economic revival across the region but also promise transformative socio-economic benefits, improving the livelihoods of millions in both nations.

Thus, this bilateralism emerges as a fundamental pillar for regional stability and prosperity, emphasising its vital role in shaping the geopolitical and economic landscape of South Asia.

BIMSTEC, or the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation, is an interregional cooperative framework involving seven countries from South Asia and Southeast Asia.

Originally conceived as BIST-EC (Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, and Thailand Economic Cooperation) in 1997, the initiative aimed to enhance intra-regional trade, investment, and economic integration within the Bay of Bengal area.

Following the later inclusion of Myanmar, Bhutan, and Nepal, the organisation was officially renamed BIMSTEC during its inaugural summit in 2004. The primary goal of this grouping is to foster economic collaboration among its member states while addressing various sectors of mutual interest.

As of 2023, the BIMSTEC member nations collectively have a population exceeding 1.73 billion and a combined gross domestic product (GDP) of around $5.2 trillion.

Within this framework, India and Bangladesh, ranked as the first and third largest economies based on nominal GDP, play crucial roles.

Their economic dominance provides them with a level of strategic autonomy that facilitates the advancement of regional cooperation, allowing these countries to engage in multilateral initiatives with relative independence from external influences.

This dynamic highlights BIMSTEC's potential as a platform for establishing a restructured, regionally focused economic framework in the Bay of Bengal.

Major ports of BIMSTEC countries in the Bay of Bengal

The establishment of a permanent secretariat in Dhaka in 2014 marked a significant institutionalisation of BIMSTEC's operational framework, aimed at enhancing technical and economic collaboration among its member states.

Initially, the organisation delineated 14 priority sectors for cooperation, each overseen by a designated lead country to ensure focused management and effective execution. India assumed leadership in strategic domains such as Transport, Tourism, and Counter-Terrorism, while Bangladesh took the initiative in Trade and Investment.

However, recognizing the necessity for a more streamlined and outcome-oriented approach, the 2022 Colombo Summit—conducted virtually in response to the COVID-19 pandemic—embarked on a comprehensive restructuring of these cooperation sectors.

The summit aimed to “reduce, reconstitute, and construct” the cooperation framework by consolidating the original 14 sectors into seven core areas, with each member state entrusted with leadership over one sector.

Under this reconfiguration, Bangladesh now leads initiatives in Trade, Investment, and Development, whereas India has been assigned responsibility for Security and Energy Cooperation sectors.

The strategic positioning of the BIMSTEC member countries endows the bloc with considerable potential to facilitate economic integration through enhanced terrestrial and maritime connectivity.

For both India and Bangladesh, active engagement within this regional framework represents a significant opportunity to realise substantial economic gains.

For India, which boasts an annual trade volume exceeding $1,100 billion, BIMSTEC serves as a conduit to access the emerging markets of Southeast Asia, thereby aligning with its broader ‘Act East Policy’ and its aspirations to expand its economy to a $5 trillion threshold in the forthcoming years.

Furthermore, this platform provides a vital avenue for promoting the development of India’s eastern and northeastern regions, which have historically been perceived as economically underutilised.

BIMSTEC's connectivity initiatives provide Bangladesh, which has an annual trade volume exceeding $120 billion as of 2023, with a new cost-effective mechanism to diversify its export portfolio by accessing the Southeast Asian and broader ASEAN markets.

This is particularly crucial for the country's rapidly growing ready-made garment sector, which consistently seeks to expand its market reach beyond traditional western partners.

Consequently, BIMSTEC's integrative potential can significantly enhance Bangladesh’s economic presence within regional and global value chains, thereby reinforcing its role as a key player in the economic landscape of South Asia.

Despite the significant economic potential inherent in the BIMSTEC framework, the failure to operationalise the 2004 Framework Agreement on Free Trade has considerably impeded intra-bloc economic integration over the years.

The Agreement, which is ambitious in scope, sought to establish “effective trade and investment facilitating measures, including the simplification of customs procedures and the development of mutual recognition arrangements, among others".

However, notwithstanding this comprehensive mandate, member states have been unable to achieve a consensus on the implementation of the Free Trade Agreement (FTA), thereby constraining the bloc's economic synergy.

This stagnation is reflected in the asymmetry of trade flows within the bloc.

For example, while annual trade between India and Bangladesh, as well as between India and Thailand, was recorded at over $15.83 billion and $17.29 billion respectively in 2023, trade among other member states has remained suboptimal.

This underscores the imperative for BIMSTEC member countries to re-engage in substantive negotiations, resolve outstanding issues, and operationalise the FTA to unlock its economic potential and promote deeper economic interdependence and shared prosperity throughout the Bay of Bengal region.

In the context of stagnation within regional cooperation frameworks, the recent advocacy by Bangladesh's Chief Advisor, Professor Muhammad Yunus, for the revitalisation of regional blocs such as SAARC presents a timely impetus for recalibration.

However, it would be judicious for Dhaka and New Delhi to prioritise the revitalisation of BIMSTEC, given its relatively lower friction points among member states, as a precursor to re-engaging with more contentious organisations like SAARC.

Despite the prevailing strains in India-Bangladesh relations, enhanced bilateral engagement between these two nations could exemplify to other BIMSTEC member states the feasibility of regional cooperation aimed at collective benefit and socioeconomic development.

Such a strategy could motivate other member states to strengthen bilateral trade relationships, thereby fostering an enabling environment for the eventual operationalisation of the long-stalled Free Trade Agreement within the BIMSTEC framework.

Nevertheless, the onus rests with India and Bangladesh to navigate the current tensions, which are exacerbated by external factors and actors, and to determine whether to permit these disruptions to impede progress or to reaffirm their commitment to advancing cooperation both bilaterally and multilaterally.

BIMSTEC, with its established institutional framework and shared regional aspirations, offers a viable platform for initiating this renewed trajectory of collaboration.

--IANS

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Jakarta, Jan 11 (IANS) Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto met with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba on Saturday, with the two leaders agreeing to enhance cooperation in various sectors.

Subianto told a press conference that Indonesia opened up to the possibility of Japanese companies participating in Indonesia's future economic development, including in the downstream programs of natural resources.

The Indonesian president invited the Japanese government to contribute to Indonesia's economic development, particularly in achieving food and energy self-sufficiency, industrializing natural resources and eliminating hunger for under-nourished communities.

Ishiba expressed Japan's commitment to foster cooperation in resource development and infrastructure to maintain energy security and advance decarbonization efforts.

He also reiterated Japan's support for Indonesia's industrialization initiatives, particularly in downstream natural resources, Xinhua news agency reported.

According to the Japanese Prime Minister's Office (PMO), Ishiba visited the Kalibata Heroes Cemetery and offered flowers.

Afterwards, he attended a welcome ceremony and held a summit meeting with Subianto, followed by a joint press occasion.

In the afternoon, Ishiba attended a luncheon hosted by Prabowo before speaking with the press regarding his visit to Malaysia and Indonesia.

--IANS

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