Chennai: In a significant step, India and Indonesia have decided to expedite the implementation of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed on prevention and management of natural disasters. This comes at a time when Chennai was hit by unprecedented floods recently.
On October 11, 2013, the national agency for disaster management of Republic of Indonesia and the National Disaster Management Authority of India signed the MoU, but till date nothing substantial happened. After Vice-President Mohammad Hamid Ansari met the President and Vice President of Indonesia during his visit to Jakarta last month, a lot of things are happening.
Saut Siringoringo, Consul-General of Republic of Indonesia, told Deccan Chronicle in an interview there are about 85 MoUs between the two countries and many still remained only on paper. To address the issues and take relations between traditionally friendly neighbours’ forward, Eminent Persons’ Group (EPG) was formed having equal representation. The group will hold its first meeting in February 2016 at the Indonesian capital, Jakarta.
“There are several things that both the countries can share and benefit from if there is a mutual understanding and consensus. Indonesia has been a strategic partner with India since 2005 and its time we further our relations”, he said.
Hariyanta Soetarto, Consul (Economics), Consulate-General of the Republic of Indonesia, Mumbai, said the 2004 tsunami, which caused devastation in Indonesia and all along Tamil Nadu coast, has taught many lessons. “Today, we have advanced warning systems and worked on several modules that can be shared with India”. He said Indonesia is also planning to work closely with India to fight money laundering and terrorism and also looking to explore the best practices being adopted in India in conduct of elections like introduction of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs).
The six-member delegation, which was in Chennai on Tuesday, later paid a courtesy visit to Indonesia nationals residing in the city and affected by recent Chennai floods.
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