Jakarta, Sept. 16 -- Indonesian Navy (TNI AL) Chief of Staff Admiral Muhammad Ali received the Nishan-e-Imtiaz (Order of Excellence) from Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari at the president's residence, Aiwan-e-Sadr, in Islamabad on Monday (Sept. 14).

TNI AL stated in a press release cited here Wednesday that the decoration was awarded for Ali's outstanding contributions to strengthening military cooperation between Indonesia and Pakistan.

Head of the TNI AL Information Service First Admiral Tunggul described the awarding of the order as a reflection of intensive bilateral diplomacy.

"The award also symbolizes respect for the historic ties between Indonesia and Pakistan, which have endured since the era of President Soekarno," he sai...