New Delhi, May 18 (PTI) External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj today held talks with Indonesia's Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs Gen (Retd) Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan and discussed ways to strengthen the bilateral strategic partnership.

The meeting between the two leaders assumes significance as it comes ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's expected visit to Indonesia later this month.

"Building upon deep civilizational linkages between two maritime neighbours! EAM @SushmaSwaraj met with Indonesian Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs Gen (Retd.) Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan. Discussions focused on steps to further expand our strategic partnership," Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar tweeted.

Indonesia has emerged as the largest trading partner of India in the ASEAN region.

Bilateral trade has increased from USD 4.3 billion in 2005-06 to USD 17 billion in 2016-17.

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)