The President of Indonesia Dr. Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, on Monday arrived in New Delhi on a three day state visit. He will be the Chief Guest on the occasion of the Republic Day celebrations on Wednesday. A number of agreements including Extradition Treaty will be signed following delegation level talks between the visiting dignitary and the Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh in New Delhi tomorrow. Mr. Yudhoyono will also address captains of the industry later in the day during which a number of major deals will be inked covering the areas of resources, infrastructure, manufacturing and services.

AIR correspondent reports, these deals will make India one of the largest investors in Indonesia. The invitation to President Yudhoyono to be the Chief Guest on the occasion of the Republic Day symbolises the importance India attaches to its bilateral relations with Indonesia. The country’s first President Soekarno was the Chief Guest at the first Republic Day on 26 January 1950. Indonesia is a strategic partner, a neighbour and the largest and most influential member of the ASEAN. It is a key country in the context of India’s Look East policy and New Delhi’s dialogue partnership with the ASEAN.

Mr. Yudhoyono will also call on the President Mrs. Pratibha Devi Singh Patil. The Vice-President, EAM, Leader of the Opposition and the Chairperson of the UPA will call on the visiting dignitary. Mrs. Patil will host a State Banquet in honour of the Indonesian President tomorrow evening.