RAWALPINDI, Pakistan: A Young Scholar Discussion on the topic “Pakistan-Indonesia Bilateral Ties: Exploring Untapped Potentials” was jointly organized by the Center for Global & Strategic Studies (CGSS) and the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia at Rawalpindi.
In his keynote address, the Ambassador of Indonesia to Pakistan His Excellency Adam Mulawarman Tugio said that this debate will open up new avenues for the students of Indonesia and Pakistan.
The main aim of such discussions is to provide exposure to the students that will enhance their communication, analytical and critical skills. His Excellency also said that such initiatives alleviate bilateral relations between the two countries and boost people-to-people contact.
The Indonesian ambassador further said that the Pakistani students are the biggest recipients of Indonesian scholarships.
His Excellency Adam Mulawarman Tugio appreciated the efforts of CGSS in organizing activities for the students for the enhancement of their soft and communication skills. His Excellency stated that Pakistan and Indonesia should collaborate more at the Think Tank level. There are several prospects for collaboration at the academic and institutional levels.
The ambassador also said that this event can be considered as an exercise where the youth can provide their input on how both the countries can further cement their bilateral relations.
In his address, the Member Board of Experts CGSS Brigadier (retd) Abid Hussain Bhutta said that Pakistan and Indonesia have tremendous potential which have grown with the passage of time. Pakistan and Indonesia have enhanced their cooperation and have become strength of each other.
Brigadier (retd) Abid Hussain Bhutta further said that the people-to-people contact is the foundation of the strength of relations between two countries.
The discussion was based on three main themes which were
- Pakistan and Indonesia: Ideas for Strengthening Bilateral Ties
- Using Media as a Tool for Public Diplomacy: Case Study of Pakistan and Indonesia
- Pakistan-ASEAN: Shared Future and Way Forward.
Students of Bachelors level from Indonesia and Pakistan participated and shared their analysis with the audience. During the discussion, young scholars mentioned that Pakistan and Indonesia’s bilateral relations are deeply rooted in mutual respect and support at the regional and global levels. Pakistan attaches great importance to its relations with Indonesia the foundation of which was laid by late President Sukarno and his contemporary leadership in Pakistan including Quaid-e-Azam. Late President Sukarno provided unprecedented support to Pakistan in the past.
Discussing Pakistan-ASEAN Relations, panelists mentioned that Pakistan provides the ASEAN regional states the shortest route to global sea trade. Pakistan and ASEAN agreed to cover cooperation in many areas including trade; industry; investment; environment; science and technology; drugs and narcotics; tourism and human resources development.
Young scholars also discussed that bilateralism is the conduct of political, economic, or cultural relations between two sovereign states. It is in contrast to unilateralism or multilateralism which is the activity by a single state or jointly by multiple states, respectively. When states recognize one another as sovereign states and agree to diplomatic relations, they create a bilateral relationship.
The public diplomacy is no longer defined as intergovernmental diplomacy but can become P2P or people to people because the implementers and targets of public diplomacy can become public itself.
It was also discussed that ASEAN’s success as a regional organization and East Asia’s undisputed economic potential have long been recognized, with states from different parts of the world wishing to strengthen their engagement with ASEAN. Pakistan is no exception. In line with Pakistan’s “Vision East Asia” policy, Pakistan has worked tirelessly to forge a closer partnership with ASEAN.
The debate was moderated and supervised by the Communication & Coordination Executive of the CGSS Ms. Laraib Fatima Hassan and the Minister Counsellor/Political Function at the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia Mr. Boy Dharmawan.
The event was attended by 80 participants.
Following young scholars from Pakistan and Indonesia participated:
- Fina Farhani
- Tata Auniyrahman
- Acyntya Pararsa
- Fuji Vikriansyah
- Ihza Kaustar
- Naufal Laudza
- Zohra Asif, International Islamic University, Islamabad
- Aneesa Abid, Bahria University, Islamabad
- Kainat Saif, Student of Law at International Islamic University, Islamabad
- Ehsan Khan, Punjab University, Lahore
- Sumayya Khan, Bahria University, Islamabad
- Haleema Asad, Bahria University, Islamabad
