The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) held a bilateral meeting with a delegation from the Republic of Indonesia on Thursday at Khurshid Lal Bhawan, Janpath, New Delhi, to explore collaboration in official statistics.
The Indonesian delegation, led by Vice Minister of Statistics Dr. Sonny Harry B. Harmadi, included Ambassador to India and Bhutan H. Krisnamurthi and other senior officials. Dr. Saurabh Garg, Secretary of MoSPI, headed the Indian delegation, accompanied by senior ministry officials.
The discussions focused on key areas of mutual interest, including India’s methodology for GDP estimation, data collection, consistency, and productivity statistics. The Indonesian delegation expressed keen interest in learning from India’s effective practices, particularly in harmonizing official datasets, modernizing statistical systems, and ensuring quality assurance. They also sought insights into India’s use of artificial intelligence in official statistics, strategies for AI-ready data, and approaches to integrating data across ministries and state governments. Additionally, Indonesia highlighted potential collaboration in harmonizing trade statistics, digitizing agricultural data, and advancing IT and sampling methods for statistical development.
Director General (Data Governance) P.R. Meshram opened the meeting, emphasizing the importance of bilateral cooperation, technological innovation, and excellence in statistical practices. Dr. Garg highlighted MoSPI’s initiatives, including technology-driven surveys, reduced time lags in report releases, and the use of alternative data sources, underscoring the value of this exchange in strengthening statistical systems.
Dr. Harmadi expressed Indonesia’s interest in adopting India’s approaches to address statistical challenges, particularly in GDP estimation and data modernization. The meeting served as a platform to identify areas for knowledge exchange and reaffirmed both nations’ commitment to enhancing statistical capacity through faculty development, expertise exchange, and formal agreements, such as bilateral or trilateral Memoranda of Understanding.
