Mohammed bin Ahmad Al Bawardi, UAE’s Minister of State for Defense Affairs, received, at the headquarters of the Ministry of Defence in Abu Dhabi, Hadi Tjahjanto (photo), Chief-of-Staff of the Armed Forces of Indonesia, who is currently visiting the country.

Al Bawardi welcomed Tjahjanto during the meeting, where they highlighted the strong bilateral ties between the UAE and Indonesia, Emirates News Agency WAM reported.

Both sides discussed ways of promoting their friendship and cooperation in military and defense affairs, to serve their mutual interests. They also exchanged opinions about regional and international developments and issues of mutual interest.

The meeting was attended by several officials and senior officers from the ministry and members of the Indonesian delegation.

Earlier, Major General Hamad Mohammad Thani Al Rumaithi, Chief-of-Staff of the UAE Armed Forces, also received, in his office at the General Command of the Armed Forces, Tjahjanto and his delegation, to discuss topics of mutual concern, especially those related to the military, and ways of developing and promoting the ties between the two countries.

General Hadi Tjahjanto also paid a visit on Wednesday to Wahat Al Karama (Oasis of Dignity), Abu Dhabi’s national and cultural landmark designed to commemorate the sacrifices and heroic deeds of UAE martyrs to defend their homeland and protect its achievements.

‏Upon his arrival, General Hadi Tjahjanto was welcomed by Staff Major General Pilot Abdulla Mohammed Al Neyadi where he inspected the Guard of Honor ceremony, then laid a wreath at Martyrs’ Monument, made up of 31 panels leaning on one another in a symbol of solidarity between the leadership, people and soldiers of the UAE.

‏He then went on a tour across Wahat and listened to a detailed explanation by the officials at the monument about Wahat Al Karama components, which embody the bravery and heroism of UAE heroes, as well as the nation’s noble values.

‏The tour was concluded with the word written in the visitor’s log, expressing his utmost respect and appreciation for the brave martyrs of ‏the UAE.

Born on 8 November 1963, Hadi Tjahjanto is an Air Chief Marshal in the Indonesian Air Force who is presently the Commander of the Indonesian National Armed Forces.

An alumnus of the Indonesian Air Force Academy and Flight School, he was appointed by president Joko Widodo in 2017 as the Commander of the Armed Forces (Panglima).

Formerly also a Military Secretary to President Joko Widodo, the President nominated him to the People’s Representative Council as the sole candidate for the Commander of the Indonesian National Armed Forces (Panglima TNI), replacing Gatot Nurmantyo. He was formally appointed on 8 December 2017.