In a bid to bolster bilateral ties, Indonesia's President-elect, Mr. Prabowo Subianto, reiterated his commitment to fostering deeper security and economic cooperation with Japan during discussions with Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in Tokyo. This reaffirmation comes shortly after Mr. Prabowo expressed similar aspirations for strengthened relations during his recent visit to China.
During the meeting with Prime Minister Kishida, Mr. Prabowo conveyed, "We have established a cooperative relationship, and I look forward to further enhancing our collaboration."
Mr. Prabowo's diplomatic outreach in Japan follows his inaugural foreign visit to China, marking a significant step in Indonesia's diplomatic agenda since his victory in the presidential election earlier this year. This proactive approach underscores Indonesia's pursuit of a balanced foreign policy, consistent with Mr. Prabowo's stance of non-alignment.
The Southeast Asian region, particularly nations bordering the South China Sea, has emerged as a focal point for both Tokyo and Beijing, as they vie for influence in this strategically vital area. Both nations are actively engaging with Southeast Asian counterparts to strengthen their presence and partnerships in the region.
Mr. Prabowo, a former special forces commander and current defense minister, is set to be sworn in by President Joko Widodo in October. His election has prompted scrutiny from human rights groups due to allegations of past abuses during his military tenure. However, Mr. Prabowo maintains his innocence, refuting any involvement in human rights violations.
During his visit to Tokyo, Mr. Prabowo also met with Japan's Minister of Defense, Mr. Minoru Kihara, further advancing discussions on defense cooperation between Indonesia and Japan.
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