Their meeting took place at the Pentagon defense complex in Virginia, the US, according to a statement from Prabowo’s media team. The two top defense officials last met in Bahrain last year.

Both sides emphasized the importance of continued cooperation as “regional security dynamics become increasingly complex” and said they shared an interest in keeping the Indo-Pacific region “free and open”.

“In line with our strategic interest of developing an Indo-Pacific region that is more connected, prosperous, safe, strong, free and open, I believe it will require the cooperation and participation of Indo-Pacific nations to achieve these goals,” Prabowo said at the meeting.

Read also: Prabowo, Austin discuss Indonesia-US defense cooperation, Indo-Pacific

The term “Indo-Pacific”, made famous again by former US president Donald Trump, refers to a conception of the Asia-Pacific region that draws focus to the group of nations that straddle the Indian and Pacific Oceans. In Western circles, it signifies a move away from an order centered on China.

Austin’s dialogue with Prabowo appears to be part of ongoing efforts by the US to strengthen partnerships with countries in the region as it looks to counter Beijing’s growing military presence, which Washington sees as a global security and stability threat.

The meeting signals a further thaw in the US’ attitude toward Prabowo. The retired general had long been barred from entering the US over allegations of human rights violations in relation to Indonesia’s occupation of Timor Leste, but in 2020, then-US defense secretary Mark Esper invited Prabowo to the country for defense talks, an overture that the minister accepted.

Indonesia, in leading a push to avoid polarization in the Indo-Pacific, has championed ASEAN centrality as a means to keep regional cooperation inclusive and rooted in existing regional mechanisms.

Pentagon press secretary Air Force Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder provided a readout from Secretary Austin, in which he “expressed appreciation for Indonesia’s leadership role within ASEAN, in the Indo-Pacific and around the world”.

To support the aim of continued cooperation between the countries, Austin expressed “interest” in continuing to assist in the modernization of the Indonesian Military (TNI) and to strengthen interoperability between the US and Indonesia.

“Secretary Austin expressed his support for minister Prabowo’s focus on military professionalization, noting that Indonesia now has cadets in three US service academies,” Ryder said in the statement.

Over the past two years, Indonesia has sent cadets to study on scholarships at the US Military Academy at West Point, the US Naval Academy in Annapolis and the US Air Force Academy in Colorado.

The officials also discussed “significant advancements” in bilateral defense cooperation, including the recent expansion of the Super Garuda Shield joint military exercise this summer, the largest exercise of its type between the two nations. Indonesia is also in talks to procure a number of f-15EX fighter jets from the Pentagon, although no new details have emerged from the bilateral meeting.

“We hope the defense cooperation of our two countries will become stronger and that our friendship continues and grows with the spirit of mutual respect for the other’s national interests,” Prabowo said.

The retired army general has previously expressed admiration for China’s meteoric rise and has suggested that Indonesia should become a “bridge toward peace” for the two superpowers.

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