Islamabad, December 9, 2025 – The Europe Today: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday described his meeting with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto as “extremely productive and gratifying,” announcing that both nations had agreed to significantly expand bilateral cooperation across key sectors, including trade, health, education, vocational training, and culture.
Speaking at a ceremony marking the signing of several memoranda of understanding (MoUs) between the two countries, PM Shehbaz highlighted Pakistan’s strong commitment to deepening ties with Indonesia. He emphasized that both sides would work closely to achieve the targets set during the high-level talks.
The premier noted that bilateral trade currently stands at $4.5 billion, with over 90 percent comprising Pakistani imports of Indonesian palm oil. He said both leaders discussed corrective measures to balance trade through Pakistan’s agricultural exports and IT-driven initiatives, adding that the “trade gap” could be addressed through various new avenues.
PM Shehbaz also announced that Pakistan would send doctors, dentists, professors, and medical experts to support Indonesia’s growing healthcare sector, which is witnessing rapid expansion in medical colleges and universities. He reaffirmed Pakistan’s readiness to assist its “brotherly nation” without delay.
The prime minister underscored the historic nature of Pakistan–Indonesia relations, which predate the independence of both nations, recalling Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s support for Indonesia’s freedom struggle. He also highlighted Indonesia’s strong support for Pakistan during the 1965 war, noting that such solidarity “will be remembered for all times to come.”
PM Shehbaz praised Indonesia’s firm stance on Gaza and called for collective efforts to end bloodshed in the region permanently.
The Indonesian president, in his remarks, expressed deep appreciation for the warm reception in Pakistan, saying the two countries share “historic brotherly relations” grounded in common values and a moderate, inclusive approach to Islam. President Subianto said the meetings yielded agreements across diverse fields and that both nations would work swiftly to rebalance trade relations.
He also thanked Pakistan for agreeing to support Indonesia in the health sector, calling the assistance “strategic and critical.” He said both nations would coordinate closely on foreign policy, particularly on Palestine, reaffirming unwavering support for the two-state solution.
President Subianto further expressed optimism for the future of bilateral ties and extended an invitation for PM Shehbaz and other Pakistani leaders to visit Indonesia.
Later in the day, President Subianto met Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir. According to the ISPR, both sides discussed mutual interests, regional security, and defence cooperation, reaffirming commitment to strengthening ties between the armed forces of the two countries.
Earlier, President Subianto received a guard of honour at the Prime Minister’s House upon his arrival. His two-day official visit coincides with the 75th anniversary of Pakistan–Indonesia diplomatic relations, adding further significance to the high-level engagements.
