Indonesia and Pakistan Strengthen Strategic Cooperation Across Key Sectors

High-Level Meeting in Jakarta

On Monday, November 17, 2025, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto held a significant meeting with Pakistan's Ambassador to Indonesia, Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri, at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta. The high-level discussions focused on strengthening cooperation across a broad spectrum of strategic sectors, aiming to deepen the bilateral relationship between the two nations. President Subianto, who assumed office as the eighth President of Indonesia on October 20, 2024, engaged in talks that covered economic, trade, educational, health, technological, and defense collaborations.

Expanding Economic and Trade Ties

The meeting highlighted the robust economic relationship between Indonesia and Pakistan. Pakistan stands as Indonesia's second-largest trading partner in South Asia, with annual trade volumes exceeding USD 4 billion. Key aspects of their trade include Indonesia's significant export of palm oil to Pakistan, while Indonesia imports products such as fruits, surgical equipment, and sports gear from Pakistan. Ambassador Chaudhri also expressed Pakistan's keen interest in collaborating with Indonesia on President Prabowo's 'Free Nutritious Meals' program, particularly in the supply of raw materials from sectors like dairy and poultry.

Cooperation in Education, Health, and Technology

Beyond trade, both nations are committed to enhancing cooperation in vital social and technological fields. Pakistan conveyed its readiness to offer more educational opportunities for Indonesian students, particularly in medical, engineering, and information technology programs at Pakistani universities. The discussions also emphasized strengthening collaboration in the information technology (IT) sector, recognizing Pakistan's considerable capacity and capability in technology development.

Deepening Defense and Strategic Alignment

The strategic dialogue extended to the defense sector, where both countries reaffirmed their commitment to advancing collaboration. This includes cooperation in the defense industry, technology, and military education. Previous discussions have also explored fast-tracking joint defense production projects. Ambassador Chaudhri lauded President Prabowo as a 'visionary leader,' emphasizing the potential for enhanced collaboration between Indonesia and Pakistan, which are the world's first and second-largest Muslim countries, respectively. Their historical bonds, rooted in anti-colonial struggles and mutual support, date back to formal diplomatic relations established in 1950, with ongoing cooperation in international forums like the United Nations (UN) and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).