NEW DELHI: Indonesian President Joko Widodo is scheduled to embark on a two-day visit to India on December 12. With his visit, Indonesia and India—the first and second largest Muslim populated countries respectively—are set to mull over and learn from each others’ experience of pluralism and explore ways to showcase their moderate Islam to the world.
Widodo would meet PM Narendra Modi during his visit and would be accompanied by a large delegation, comprising several cabinet ministers, senior officials and a 22-member business delegates as well.
This will be the Indonesian President’s first visit to India after assuming power in October 2014. Both Modi and Widodo had stormed to power almost at the same time more than two-and-a-half years ago.
“Both the countries have strong historical linkages and have a lot to showcase to the world,” a senior functionary of External Affairs Ministry told The Sunday Standard.
The official went on to add that the visit will pave the way for greater cooperation between the two countries in highlighting their ‘syncretic’ traditions. “It is worth noticing that both countries have not seen radicalisation of their large Muslim population and can learn from each other. Also, the moderate face of Islam in the country needs to be highlighted,” the official said.