Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull hopes to visit Indonesian President Joko Widodo this year, Julie Bishop revealed during a brief trip to the West Sumatran capital of Padang.

The Foreign Minister, who was barely visible on her trademark early morning run due to the haze coating the city, also discussed the forest fires blighting the region.

Julie Bishop said Malcolm Turnbull and Joko Widodo had a "very constructive and positive conversation" upon the new Prime Minister coming into office. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen

Haze from the fires, largely caused by the slash and burn technique of clearing land to plant monocultural crops for palm oil and paper and pulp, has reached dangerous levels in Kalimantan and Sumatra.