Indonesia’s President Prabowo Subianto is set to embark on his first foreign trip, visiting China and the United States, along with Peru, Brazil, and the UK. His state visit to Beijing is scheduled for November 8, followed by a meeting with President Biden. The trip aims to enhance Indonesia’s international standing while adhering to a non-aligned foreign policy.
Prabowo Subianto, the newly inaugurated President of Indonesia, will embark on his first international diplomatic tour beginning next month. This will involve visits to both China and the United States, as reported by local media outlets. Following his inauguration on October 20, the 73-year-old former general committed to maintaining Indonesia’s longstanding tradition of non-alignment while striving to elevate the nation’s presence on the global stage. The president’s upcoming diplomatic endeavors will not be limited to these two nations; he is also expected to visit Peru, Brazil, and the United Kingdom, according to the Kompas newspaper, which cited sources from the presidential palace. His itinerary includes a significant state visit to Beijing on November 8 to hold discussions with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Li Qiang. He will then travel to Washington to meet with U.S. President Joe Biden, though the specific date of the U.S. visit was not disclosed. It is noteworthy that this visit occurs shortly after the forthcoming U.S. elections on November 5, which will feature Kamala Harris and Donald Trump. Notably, Prabowo Subianto, who previously served as a general under the late authoritarian leader Suharto, has had a controversial history that once placed him on a United States visa blacklist due to concerns over human rights violations in Indonesia and East Timor. However, this restriction was lifted under the Trump administration. Following his engagements in China and the U.S., President Prabowo will proceed to Peru to confer with President Dina Boluarte and participate in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in Lima. His international journey will continue to Brazil to attend the G20 summit, concluding with a visit to the United Kingdom, where he is scheduled to meet with King Charles III and Prime Minister Keir Starmer. While the presidential palace spokesman Hasan Nasbi has indicated an inability to confirm the trip details at this point, it has been reported that discussions surrounding cooperation and welfare enhancement will be central to the agenda during these visits. After his electoral victory in February, President Prabowo utilized a transitional phase of eight months to engage with over a dozen nations, showcasing a markedly more assertive foreign policy compared to his predecessor, Joko Widodo, who had prioritized domestic issues such as economic matters.
The article outlines the details surrounding Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto’s imminent first foreign tour post-inauguration. It highlights his commitment to upholding a non-aligned foreign policy while enhancing Indonesia’s international engagement. The context provided includes information about Prabowo’s past controversies, particularly his earlier exclusion from entering the United States and his recent electoral success, which sets the stage for a robust foreign policy initiative aimed at elevating Indonesia’s status on the world stage.
In conclusion, President Prabowo Subianto’s upcoming foreign trip marks a significant step in Indonesia’s pursuit of increased global visibility and engagement. The planned visits to major nations, including China and the United States, reflect his administration’s intention to address international cooperation and welfare improvement. Prabowo’s efforts stand in contrast to his predecessor’s focus on domestic issues, indicating a potential shift in Indonesia’s foreign relations strategy.
Original Source: www.barrons.com
