WASHINGTON: Indonesia’s President Prabowo Subianto met with US President Joe Biden on the White Home on Tuesday (Nov 12) and provided his congratulations to president-elect Donald Trump by cellphone throughout an official go to to Washington.
“I’ll work very arduous to strengthen Indonesian-United States relationship, and I want to work in the direction of this finish that we’ve got a robust cooperation,” mentioned Prabowo.
Prabowo, who has mentioned he’ll pursue a non-aligned overseas coverage, met with Biden within the Oval Workplace after posting a video of his name to Trump.
He arrived in Washington straight from China, the place he had met with President Xi Jinping on his first abroad journey since taking workplace final month.
Washington sees Indonesia, probably the most populous nation in Southeast Asia, as an vital accomplice in a area the place its rival Beijing has deep commerce and funding ties. Indonesia can be the world’s most populous Muslim-majority nation.
Whereas China is a key financial accomplice for Indonesia, Jakarta has additionally change into an enormous purchaser of US arms, and it desires to promote the West extra metals from its mines.
On the White Home, Biden mentioned the 2 leaders have been discussing local weather, battle within the Center East and the South China Sea.
Indonesia mentioned on Monday it doesn’t recognise China’s claims over the overwhelming majority of the South China Sea, despite signing a maritime development deal with Beijing.
“We proceed to encourage Indonesia to work with their authorized consultants to verify any settlement they make with (the Folks’s Republic of China) is in accordance with worldwide legislation, particularly the UN Conference on the Regulation of the Sea,” mentioned White Home spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre at a press briefing.
TRUMP CALL
Prabowo’s workplace mentioned he made the call to Trump on Monday after arriving in Washington. It didn’t instantly reply when requested if he’s scheduled to fulfill Trump in individual.
“Wherever you’re, I am keen to fly to congratulate you personally, sir,” Prabowo mentioned within the video of the decision posted on his social media accounts.
“We’ll try this, anytime you need,” Trump replied.
Trump described his personal election victory as wonderful, and mentioned it gave him an enormous mandate.
He additionally mentioned the Indonesian president was “very revered”, and praised his English, to which Prabowo, a former particular forces commander, replied: “All my coaching is American, sir.”
Prabowo additionally met with a number of US firm representatives in Washington, his workplace mentioned, together with from Freeport McMoRan and power firm Chevron, and urged the businesses to spend money on Indonesia.
