ISLAMABAD: Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto arrived in Islamabad on Monday, December 8, 2025, at 4:35 PM for a two-day official visit. Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif extended the invitation. President Asif Ali Zardari joined the welcome at Nur Khan airbase. Prabowo Subianto leads a high-level delegation of ministers and officials. This marks his first trip to Pakistan since taking office. Talks focus on deepening bilateral cooperation.
The visit highlights shared Islamic heritage and mutual support in global forums. Pakistan and Indonesia established ties in 1950. This trip coincides with their 75th anniversary. Leaders aim to elevate relations through pacts in key sectors. Discussions cover trade, investment, and defence. Several memoranda of understanding await signing.
Prabowo Subianto Pakistan Visit: Delegation-Level Talks Underway
Prabowo Subianto Pakistan visit kicks off with protocol honours. A guard of honour greeted the president upon landing. The delegation includes Indonesia’s defence and foreign affairs ministers. They flew in from Jakarta via a special aircraft.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif shook hands with Prabowo Subianto at the airbase. President Zardari offered floral welcome. The group proceeded to the presidential guest house. Security remains tight across routes. Local media covered the arrival live.
In a pre-visit phone call on December 3, Shehbaz Sharif expressed eagerness for the Prabowo Subianto Pakistan visit. He noted it provides a chance to strengthen diplomatic ties and cooperation in mutual interest areas. Prabowo Subianto thanked Pakistan for solidarity after a recent Indonesian disaster.
The agenda spans 48 hours. Prabowo Subianto holds bilateral talks with Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday morning. They discuss economic partnerships and regional stability. President Zardari hosts a luncheon. Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir receives the guest for a courtesy call.
Indonesian officials stress the strategic value of the Prabowo Subianto Pakistan visit. It builds on recent exchanges. In July 2025, Indonesia’s Defence Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin met Shehbaz Sharif in Islamabad. They pledged to boost defence production ties. Sjamsoeddin conveyed Prabowo Subianto’s wishes then.
Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a curtain raiser on the visit. It called the Prabowo Subianto Pakistan visit a milestone for comprehensive partnership. Expected outcomes include joint ventures in IT and climate action.
Indonesian President Arrives in Islamabad: Focus on Economic Gains
Indonesian President arrives in Islamabad with eyes on trade expansion. Bilateral trade stood at USD 2.4 billion in 2024. Pakistan exports textiles and rice to Indonesia. Indonesia sends palm oil and electronics in return. Leaders target doubling this figure by 2030.
Shehbaz Sharif prioritises investment inflows. He seeks Indonesian funding for special economic zones. Prabowo Subianto pushes for halal industry collaboration. Both nations eye food security pacts. In June 2025, they agreed to ramp up vaccine production in Pakistan. Plans include medical institutions in Indonesia and pharmaceutical exchanges.
The Prabowo Subianto Pakistan visit aligns with South Asia’s growth needs. Indonesia’s economy grew 5.1 per cent in 2025. Pakistan targets 4 per cent GDP rise. Joint efforts in education and health can aid youth employment. Over 200 million Muslims link the populations.
A 21-gun salute marked the Indonesian President arrives in Islamabad moment. Cultural troupes performed. The event drew diplomats from OIC nations. Indonesia’s ambassador to Pakistan, Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri, earlier praised Prabowo Subianto as a visionary leader during a November 17 meeting in Jakarta. Chaudhri highlighted Indonesia’s free meal programme as bold policy. Security forces cordoned the airbase. No incidents reported. The visit underscores Pakistan’s outreach to Southeast Asia. It follows Shehbaz Sharif’s trips to Gulf states.
Prabowo Subianto Shehbaz Sharif Meeting: Defence and Beyond
Prabowo Subianto Shehbaz Sharif meeting forms the centrepiece. Scheduled for 10 AM Tuesday at PM House. Delegation-level format allows detailed inputs. Topics span defence hardware and counter-terrorism. Pakistan offers joint manufacturing of drones. Indonesia brings shipbuilding expertise. Past exercises built trust. In 2024, naval drills occurred in the Indian Ocean.
Shehbaz Sharif reaffirmed commitment in July. He called for ventures in strategic sectors. Prabowo Subianto’s team eyes energy imports from Pakistan’s Thar coal fields. The Prabowo Subianto Shehbaz Sharif meeting extends to global issues. Both back Palestine at UN. They coordinate on climate funds. Pakistan seeks Indonesia’s ASEAN voice for dialogue partner status.
Post-meeting, a joint presser follows. Officials hint at five MoUs. These cover health tech and cultural exchanges. Broader agenda includes IT hubs. Pakistan’s digital economy hit USD 3 billion in 2025. Indonesia’s fintech leads regionally. Partnerships can create jobs for 1 million youth.
Pakistan Indonesia Bilateral Ties 2025: A 75-Year Legacy
Pakistan Indonesia bilateral ties 2025 mark a pivotal year. Diplomatic relations began on February 17, 1950. Early support came during freedom struggles. Indonesia backed Kashmir at OIC. Trade pacts evolved slowly. The 2012 preferential trade agreement cut duties on 298 items. Exports rose 15 per cent yearly since. In 2025, focus shifts to services.
Pakistan Indonesia bilateral ties 2025 emphasise sustainability. Joint climate projects target flood resilience. Indonesia shares palm plantation tech. Pakistan offers irrigation models. Education links 500 Pakistani students in Indonesia. Scholarships double under new plans. Cultural festivals draw crowds. The Prabowo Subianto Pakistan visit cements this foundation.
Defence cooperation dates to 1960s. Recent pacts include training exchanges. In 2025, arms trade hit USD 100 million. Regional forums unite them. Both join ECO and D-8. The visit boosts multilateral bids.
Background
Pakistan Indonesia bilateral ties trace to post-colonial era. Indonesia recognised Pakistan in 1949. Embassies opened soon after. Shared faith fostered aid during 1971 war.
Joko Widodo’s 2018 visit signed eight agreements. Trade hit record highs then. Prabowo Subianto’s tenure revives momentum. Pre-visit calls in 2025 set tones. Defence ministers met thrice this year. Vaccine deals in June aid post-pandemic recovery. The 75th anniversary features stamps and seminars.
What’s Next
The Prabowo Subianto Pakistan visit ends Wednesday. Prabowo Subianto departs after a state banquet. Follow-up includes a joint commission in Jakarta next quarter. Trade delegations follow in 2026. Enhanced Pakistan Indonesia bilateral ties 2025 promise sustained growth. This trip positions both as South Asian anchors. Future pacts target USD 5 billion trade by decade end.
Published in SouthAsianDesk, December 8th, 2025
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