The delegation of the Islamic Republic of Iran led by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and head of the Institute for Political and International Studies (IPIS) think tank, Dr. Mohammad Hasan Sheikholeslami, has met with a number of Indonesian scholars, cultural figures, and sympathizers to strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries.

Jakarta (Indonesia Window) – The delegation of the Islamic Republic of Iran led by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and president of the Institute for Political and International Studies (IPIS), Dr. Mohammad Hasan Sheikholeslami, has met with a number of Indonesian scholars, cultural figures, and academicians to strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries.

“Indonesia and Iran are two great Islamic countries, and both have a long history and great civilization,” he said at a media gathering here on Tuesday (Aug. 13) evening.

He added that diplomatic relations between Indonesia and Iran have been established for 74 years, and are filled with friendly and brotherly relations between countries and the Islamic world.

“The good relations between the two countries in the political field are marked by increasingly intensive visits between high-ranking officials, including the visit of the late President Ebrahim Raisi to Indonesia a year ago,” Dr. Sheikholeslami said while expressing appreciation for the condolences conveyed by the Indonesian people and government over the death of the Iranian leader.

He further explained that during President Raisi’s visit to Indonesia in May 2023, 11 memorandums of understanding and agreements were signed, covering those among others on the fields of politics, trade tariffs, culture, and women’s empowerment.

“Despite the great determination of the high-ranking officials of the two countries on bilateral relations, there are still challenges in efforts to expand cooperation between the two countries,” Dr. Sheikholeslami noted.

This, he said, was due to a lack of familiarity between the two countries. Scholars, cultural figures, and the people of the two countries do not yet know each other, resulting in misunderstandings and misinterpretations.

"Therefore, we decided to visit and meet with Indonesian scholars, and introduce them about Iran on politics, economics, culture, and other issues," the Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister explained.

During the visit, IPIS signed memorandums of understanding with a number of Indonesian think tanks.

According to him, this step is important in the current situation as Iran has just held general elections in July, with Masoud Pezeshkian elected president, while in the next two months Indonesia will also have a new government.

"Getting to know each other about foreign policy and its limitations will make it easier for both countries to draw up good plans," he said.

In his statement, Dr. Sheikholeslami conveyed Happy Independence Day of the Republic of Indonesia, while hoping for peace, progress, and prosperity for the Indonesian people.

On the same occasion, the Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Indonesia, Mohammad Boroujerdi, said that in less than a year since of his posting in Indonesia, relations with the Indonesian mass media have been close and good.

"When we witnessed the brutal zionist attacks on Palestine, the Indonesian mass media was present to provide solidarity and attention, together with the Iranian and Indonesian peoples," the Iranian Ambassador pointed out.

He also appreciated the attention from the Indonesian mass media which gave messages of condolence and sympathy for the passing of President Ebrahim Raisi who in Iran was known as a devotee to the nation.

"The Indonesian people are always one step ahead of Iran in showing concern for each other," Ambassador Boroujerdi said, adding that the presidential election in Iran which was also highlighted by the Indonesian mass media showed that Iran's relationship with the mass media was good.

The ambassador also highlighted messages of condolence and sympathy from the mass media, clerics, intellectuals, and the Indonesian people who were also concerned over the demise of the Hamas leader, Ismail Haniyeh, on July 31 in Tehran.

Efforts to bring the intellectuals of the two countries closer together, according to him, are expected to further enhance the relationship between Indonesia and Iran.

The media gathering was also attended by the Head of the IPIS Economic Studies Department, Mohammad Javad Shariati, and the Head of the IPIS Regional Economic Studies Department, Abolfazi Aabdoli.

Reporting by Indonesia Window