Jakarta (ANTARA) – India is supporting Indonesia’s chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in 2023 as the Southeast Asian region faces various challenges that need to be resolved urgently.

“India is very supportive and a strong partner of ASEAN. We wish Indonesia the best in its (ASEAN) presidency,” Indian Ambassador to Indonesia Manoj Kumar Bharti said.

Bharti speaks to reporters after attending the MPR Annual Session and the 2022 Joint Session of DPR and DPD at Nusantara MPR/DPR/DPD Building, Jakarta on Tuesday.

India sees that ASEAN is currently going through a difficult period as there are many issues arising, especially those related to ASEAN membership.

Therefore, he hopes that Indonesia, while fulfilling its role as chairman of the Southeast Asian group of countries, will be able to find ways to overcome all problems within ASEAN.

In 2023, Indonesia will once again become the chair of ASEAN after serving as chair in 1967, 2003 and 2011.

Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi has previously stressed the importance of unity within ASEAN as an effort to maintain relevance and credibility.

To strengthen ASEAN, Indonesia proposes three aspects that should be the focus of ASEAN, namely ASEAN unity, ASEAN centrality and strengthening ASEAN reliability.

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