India and Indonesia also discussed ways to promote trade and investment

India and Indonesia reviewed the development of connectivity between Andaman & Nicobar Islands (ANI) and Aceh province at the 2nd Joint Task Force (JTF) meeting in Port Blair on Monday.

During the JTF meeting, the heads of delegation also took stock of the challenges faced in developing connectivity between the two regions since the first JTF meeting in 2019. This included a review of the status of projects for port related infrastructure in and around Sabang in the Aceh province, according to information provided by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).

The development of connectivity between ANI and Aceh is a key element of the Shared Vision of Maritime Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, agreed to in May 2018 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Indonesian President Joko Widodo.

The two sides also discussed ways to further promote trade, tourism and people to people contacts between the two regions to unleash the economic potential of ANI and Aceh, the MEA added.

To improve trade and investment, the JTF agreed to enhance opportunities for interaction between business chambers and potential investors on both sides.

"With international tourism reviving after the pandemic, the two sides agreed to encourage sail tourism, cruise ship visits, and interaction between tour operators. Taking note of the rich marine resources in the region, they also agreed to cooperate in capacity building of fishing operators and learn from each other’s experience," the MEA said.

The meeting also discussed ways to enhance academic cooperation and cultural linkages between ANI and Aceh.

The Indian delegation was led by Shri , Joint Secretary (South), MEA Vishvas Sapkal and the Indonesian delegation was led by Director for South and Central Asian Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Jatmiko H Prasetyo.

The third edition of the JTF is expected to take place in Aceh in 2023.