As the country with largest Muslim population in the world, Indonesia had a big and important role in conflict resolution issues, Kalla said.
ice President Jusuf Kalla met with his American counterpart Mike Pence to talk about intensifying bilateral relations on the sidelines of a United Nations event in New York on Tuesday local time.
"We talked about our good relations, as next year will be the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations [between Indonesia and] America, so we will intensify our relationship," Kalla said after the meeting at the Lotte New York Palace, as reported by Antara news agency.
The Indonesian vice president said Indonesia had the opportunity to deepen trade relations with the United States despite an escalating trade war between the US and China, citing good relations between Jakarta and Washington.
Kalla and Pence also discussed the latest political developments and regional security in the region, such as security on the Korean peninsula, the human right crisis in Myanmar and ongoing conflict in Afghanistan.
As the country with largest Muslim population in the world, Indonesia had a big and important role in conflict resolution, Kalla said.
"And [Pence] agreed that Indonesia has that role," he said.
A statement from the US vice president’s office said Pence had congratulated Indonesia on its election to the UN Security Council and encouraged Indonesia to continue to be a voice for peace and stability in the region.
Kalla is leading Indonesia’s delegation at the 73rd UN General Assembly, the largest UN event of the year where heads of state from 193 countries have the opportunity to speak about various international issues. Kalla is scheduled to give a speech on Thursday. (dis/ahw)
Share your experiences, suggestions, and any issues you've encountered on The Jakarta Post. We're here to listen.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts. We appreciate your feedback.
Quickly share this news with your network—keep everyone informed with just a single click!
Share the best of The Jakarta Post with friends, family, or colleagues. As a subscriber, you can gift 3 to 5 articles each month that anyone can read—no subscription needed!
Get the best experience—faster access, exclusive features, and a seamless way to stay updated.