WASHINGTON: Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto met with US President Joe Biden on the White House on Tuesday (November 12) and congratulated President-elect Donald Trump by phone throughout an official go to to Washington.
“I’ll work very exhausting to strengthen relations between Indonesia and the United States and I want to work in order that we’ve robust cooperation,” Prabowo mentioned.
Prabowo, who has mentioned he’ll pursue a non-aligned international coverage, met with Biden within the Oval Office after releasing a video of his name to Trump.
He arrived in Washington immediately from China, the place he had met President Xi Jinping on his first international journey since taking workplace final month.
Washington sees Indonesia, Southeast Asia’s most populous nation, as an vital associate in a area the place its rival Beijing has deep commerce and funding ties. Indonesia can be essentially the most populous Muslim-majority nation on the planet.
While China is a key financial associate for Indonesia, Jakarta has additionally develop into a big purchaser of US weapons and desires to promote extra metals from its mines to the West.
At the White House, Biden mentioned the 2 leaders have been discussing local weather, battle within the Middle East and the South China Sea.
Indonesia mentioned Monday it doesn’t acknowledge China’s claims to the overwhelming majority of the South China Sea, regardless of having signed a maritime growth settlement with Beijing.
“We proceed to encourage Indonesia to work with its authorized consultants to make sure that any settlement it enters into with the People’s Republic of China complies with worldwide regulation, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea,” the House spokesperson mentioned White. Karine Jean-Pierre throughout a press convention.
TRUMP’S CALL
Prabowo’s workplace mentioned he referred to as Trump on Monday after he arrived in Washington. He didn’t instantly reply to a query about whether or not he’s scheduled to satisfy with Trump in particular person.
“Wherever you’re, I’m prepared to fly to congratulate you personally, sir,” Prabowo mentioned in video of the decision posted on his social media accounts.
“We will do it any time you need,” Trump responded.
Trump described his election victory as shocking and mentioned it gave him a terrific mandate.
He additionally mentioned the Indonesian president is “very revered” and praised his English, to which Prabowo, a former particular forces commander, responded: “All my coaching is American, sir.”
Prabowo additionally met with a number of representatives of US firms in Washington, his workplace mentioned, together with Freeport McMoRan and power firm Chevron, and urged firms to spend money on Indonesia.
