Keen observers saw the meeting as a promising sign of continued rapport between the two countries’ leaders, which has defined the tone of bilateral relations for the better part of a decade. However, as with any changing of the guard, there is also no easy guarantee of future political synergy, they warned.

In a momentous gesture symbolizing Canberra’s continued emphasis on its relationship with Jakarta, Albanese once again chose Indonesia as his first international destination, honoring prevailing diplomatic custom after winning this month’s federal election by a landslide.

Prabowo welcomed his arrival to the State Palace on Thursday morning with a grand procession involving a military motorbike convoy, a guard of honor, nearly six dozen cavalrymen on standby and 200 secondary school students waving the flags of the two countries.

Following the ceremony, Prabowo and Albanese held a private tete-a-tete centering on strengthening cooperation in defense, digital technology, energy transition, education and the green economy, according to an official statement from the Palace.

“It is a great honor for Indonesia to receive the maiden visit of PM Albanese just one day after his inauguration,” Prabowo said in a joint press conference following the meeting.

“Australia and Indonesia are fated to be neighbors, and good neighbors will help each other during times of difficulties. I am personally determined to keep good relations [...], and we are grateful that Australia sees us as its close friend,” he said.