India, Indonesia to foster tourism, cultural exchanges

Jakarta [Indonesia], May 30 (ANI): India and Indonesia on Wednesday agreed to foster tourism and cultural exchanges and increase people-to-people contact to promote regional economic growth.
The two sides affirmed to encourage "sustainable development of community-based tourism and eco-tourism," read a joint statement issued after one-on-one talks were held between Indonesian President Joko Widodo and visiting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Both President Joko Widodo and Prime Minister Modi have also agreed to work towards creation of Andaman Sea tourism by improving connectivity between Sabang Island and Port Blair as well as Havelock Island in Andaman for promotion of sail tourism, cruise ships, marine adventure sports, diving and wellness tourism.
Both the sides have agreed to create institutional linkages between Al-Muslim University of Bireuen, University of Malikussaleh of Lhokseumawe (Aceh), Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, and appropriate institution in Port Blair for creation of a Centre of India-Indonesia studies at Al-Muslim University.
Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi flew kites along with Indonesian President Joko Widodo at a Kite exhibition in Jakarta.
The two leaders also visited at Istiqlal Mosque here.
Prime Minister Modi, who is on five-day, three-nation tour to Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore, reached Jakarta last evening.
He began his first official engagement in the Indonesian capital by laying a wreath at the Kalibata National Heroes Cemetery and was then accorded a ceremonial welcome with a guard of honour at the Istana Merdeka-one of the six presidential palaces of Indonesia.
The aim of the visit is to enhance India's relations and engagements with all the three countries, which forms Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). (ANI)