India, Indonesia to cooperate in railways

The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved a preliminary agreement that was signed between India and Indonesia on May 29th in relation to technical cooperation in railways

June 27, 2018

The agreement will allow exchange of knowledge, technology and institutional cooperation including capacity building, as well as modernization of rolling stock, signaling and communication systems

India and Indonesia will also cooperate in modernization of railway operation, management and regulations, along with development of intermodal transport, logistics parks and freight terminals to support railways

The deal, aided by improving bilateral ties, will cover exchanges of construction and maintenance technologies for fixed infrastructure such as tracks, bridges, tunnel, overhead electrification and power supply systems

The Ministry of Railways has signed agreements with China, France, Spain, South Korea, Japan, the UK, Russia and Germany for cooperation in high speed railways as well as railway infrastructure development and upgradation

The Governments of India and Indonesia have reached a preliminary agreement in relation to technical cooperation in the railways sector. The agreement, reached on May 29th, was approved by the Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on June 27th. The agreement will provide a framework of cooperation for focused approach in following key areas: (1) Exchange of knowledge, technology and institutional cooperation including capacity building; (2) Modernization of rolling stock, as well as of signaling and communication systems in railways; (3) Modernization of railway operation, management and regulations; (4) Development of intermodal transport, logistics parks and freight terminals; (5) Exchanges of construction and maintenance technologies for fixed infrastructure, including tracks, bridges, tunnel, overhead electrification and power supply systems; (6) Other areas of cooperation that may be jointly decided upon by both the Governments.

The latest partnership with Indonesia comes amid India’s improving relationship with the Southeast Asian neighbour. PM Modi paid an official visit to Indonesia over May 29-31 during a three-nation tour which came as part of an ongoing effort to strengthen ties with the member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) bloc. The visit, which came at the invitation of Joko Widodo, President of Indonesia, saw PM Modi holding bilateral meetings with political and business leadership as well as the local Indian diaspora. The visit helped boost Government of India’s “Act East” policy that is aimed at increasing people to people contact, trade ties and intergovernmental relations in the country’s extended neighbourhood. PM Modi’s first state visit to Indonesia saw the two nations adopting a “Shared Vision on Maritime Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific.”The two nations have recorded growing convergence in political, strategic, defence, security, energy and economic fields.

Meanwhile, Indian Railways has been a leading avenue for the Central Government to both seek as well as offer technical and financial assistance globally. The state-run agency runs the world’s third largest rail network, ferrying more than 23 million passengers daily on its over 12,600 trains. The Ministry of Railways has signed preliminary agreements with China, France, Spain, South Korea, Japan, the UK, Russia and Germany for technical cooperation in high speed railways as well as railway infrastructure development and upgradation. Several foreign governments and railways have also shown keen interest in the station redevelopment program. These include French Railway (SNCF), Korean Railway, Governments of Germany, China and the UK. Such partnerships have been achieved through exchange of information on developments in areas of railways technology and operations, knowledge sharing, technical visits, training and seminars and workshops in areas of mutual interest.

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