Make the Indian Ocean an Ocean of Cooperation: President

Jakarta: Indonesian President Joko Widodo said that the waters of the Indian Ocean between Indonesia and India must be interpreted as a sea of cooperation. The two countries can forge many potential collaborations, such as the blue economy sector, maritime connectivity, and sustainable marine energy resources.
 
This cooperation can also tackle potential crimes, including piracy, human trafficking, narcotics, and Illegal Unregulated Unreported (IUU) Fishing.
 
“We must be able to make the oceans a sea of cooperation, not a sea of confrontation,” said President Jokowi at the opening of the 20th ASEAN-India Summit at the Jakarta Convention Center (JCC), Thursday 7 September 2023.

According to President Jokowi, the potential for managing the Indian Ocean is enormous because it has massive capital. The Indian Ocean connects as many as 33 countries, a population of around 2.9 billion people, and one-fifth of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
 
The potential is so great to become a strength, the security stability around the Indian Ocean region must always be maintained, continued President Jokowi. The key is respecting international law, encouraging cooperative habits, and building an inclusive regional architecture.
 
“This is the key to realizing a region capable of becoming the epicenter of growth,” said the President.
 
On the third day of the 43rd ASEAN Summit, President Jokowi chaired four Summits, namely the 20th ASEAN-India Summit, the 18th East Asia Summit, the 3rd ASEAN-Australia Summit, and the 13th ASEAN-UN Summit.
 

(FJR)