India and Indonesia today elevated their bilateral ties to Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and called for freedom of navigation in the Indo-Pacific region as they signed 15 agreements including one on defence cooperation after Prime Minister Narendra Modi held "productive discussions" with President Joko Widodo. Modi said that India and Indonesia will double their efforts to take bilateral trade to USD 50 billion by 2025.

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The two countries signed 15 agreements including on the cooperation in the field of defence, space, science and technology, railways and health.

Both India and Indonesia agreed to work intensively for the early conclusion of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership and said that it needs to be comprehensive, fair and balanced with benefit to all member states. 

Prime Minister Modi, who arrived in Jakarta last night on his first-ever official visit to Indonesia was welcomed by President Joko Widodo. Both the leaders reiterated the importance of achieving a peaceful and prosperous Indo-Pacific region where sovereignty, international law, freedom of navigation and overflight, sustainable development and an open and fair trade and investment system are respected, the statement said. 

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After welcoming a  potential cooperation in the area of peaceful use of nuclear energy both the leaders looked forward to the early renewal of an agreement on cooperation regarding the utilisation of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes.

According to the joint statement, both Modi and Widodo reaffirmed their commitment in the field of defence, with the signing of Defence Cooperation Agreement between two sides. This pact will further strengthen and renew the existing cooperation for the mutual benefit of the two countries and the region.