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Indonesia chides Australia as Indo-Pacific tensions rise
Indonesia is worried about a "continuing arms race" in the Indo-Pacific region, the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
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United States President Joe Biden participates in a virtual press conference on national security with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson (right) and Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison at the White House in Washington, DC, on Sept. 15, 2021. (AFP/Brendan Smialowski)
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ndonesia on Friday reminded Australia of its regional obligation to maintain peace and stability after it set the pace of an Indo-Pacific arms race that is sure to heat up.
Canberra caught many countries in the region unawares this week after unveiling plans to acquire nuclear-powered submarines, as part of a new United States-led security pact that China has labeled as “extremely irresponsible”.
In a statement published on its website on Friday, the Foreign Ministry said Indonesia had cautiously taken note of Australia’s decision to acquire the submarines and stressed the importance of the country’s commitment to continue meeting its nuclear nonproliferation obligations.
“Indonesia is deeply concerned over the continuing arms race and power projection in the region,” the ministry said.
The ministry also beseeched Australia to uphold its commitment to regional peace, stability and security in accordance with the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation, a prerequisite for establishing ties with the 10-nation ASEAN.
The treaty requires its signatories to settle any disputes by peaceful means and renounce the threat or use of force in their engagements with one another. The US, China and the United Kingdom have also signed on.
“Indonesia encourages Australia and other parties concerned to advance dialogue in settling any differences peacefully,” the Foreign Ministry said.
