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US defense chief Austin to visit Prabowo, looks to strengthen ties with Indonesia
Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto is set to welcome his American counterpart Lloyd J. Austin this week, as the two countries’ top defense officials are expected to push for a stronger defense partnership amid increasing tensions in the Indo-Pacific region.
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Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto (left) salutes the honor guard alongside United States Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin during the former's visit to the Pentagon in Virginia, the United States, on Oct. 20. (Courtesy of US Department of Defense/-)
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efense Minister Prabowo Subianto is set to welcome his American counterpart Lloyd J. Austin this week, as the two countries’ top defense officials are expected to push for a stronger defense partnership amid increasing tensions in the Indo-Pacific region.
“[Defense] Secretary Austin’s visit will drive progress on key bilateral initiatives to support interoperability, capability development and the professionalization and modernization of the Indonesian Military [TNI],” said a statement issued by the United States embassy in Jakarta last week.
Austin is also expected to meet with other senior government officials and military leaders during his visit to Jakarta.
Indonesian Defense Ministry spokesman Dahnil Anzar Simanjuntak told The Jakarta Post on Sunday that Austin was scheduled to meet with Prabowo on Monday at the ministry’s office in Central Jakarta.
The Indo-Pacific region has become increasingly contested in recent years, as the US looks to match China’s grip and military presence – which it sees as a global security and stability threat – through regional and global partnerships with other countries in the region.
To this end, Austin’s visit to Indonesia comes as part of a string of bilateral visits geared to highlight “the important strides” the US is taking “to bring greater stability, transparency and openness to the Indo-Pacific region,” the US Embassy said.
Read also: Prabowo, Austin discuss Indonesia-US defense cooperation, Indo-Pacific
