Indonesian President-elect Prabowo Subianto’s Diplomatic Engagements
Indonesian President-elect Prabowo Subianto expressed his commitment to enhancing relations with Japan during a meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. This meeting followed his visit to China, where he emphasized the importance of stable ties with both countries.
Cooperation with Japan
Prabowo highlighted the longstanding friendship between Indonesia and Japan and aimed to strengthen their cooperative relationship. Japan, in turn, has been seeking closer ties with Southeast Asian nations, particularly in maritime security and defense, in response to China’s growing military presence.
Relations with China
During his visit to China, Prabowo reaffirmed Indonesia’s friendly policy towards China, emphasizing the significance of the bilateral relationship. China is Indonesia’s largest trading partner, with investments in key infrastructure projects.
Neutral Stance Amidst Regional Tensions
Indonesia has maintained a neutral position amidst escalating tensions between China and the Philippines over territorial disputes in the South China Sea. Prabowo’s diplomatic engagements underscore Indonesia’s commitment to fostering stable relations with all regional partners.
Japan’s Commitment to Cooperation
Prime Minister Kishida welcomed Prabowo’s early visit to Tokyo, emphasizing the shared values and principles between Japan and Indonesia. Japan aims to support Indonesia’s development in various sectors, including infrastructure, energy, security, and defense.
Future Collaborations
Both countries are keen on enhancing defense cooperation, with plans for joint exercises in the Indo-Pacific region and capacity-building initiatives. Japan seeks to contribute to the realization of a free and open Indo-Pacific region based on the rule of law.