Indonesia Eyeing Stronger Defense, Economic Cooperation with US

Jakarta: President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) received a courtesy call from the United States (US) Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo at th Bogor Presidential Palace, Bogor City, West Java Province on Thursday.
 
"Amid the covid-19 pandemic, officials from the two countries intensively visited each other," said President Jokowi.
 
In mid-October, Indonesian Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto held a working visit to the US. Earlier this year, Under Secretary of Defense for Policy, James H. Anderson, traveled to Indonesia.
According to Indonesian Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi, President Jokowi wants the US to become a true friend of Indonesia. To that end, the Indonesian President hopes that the two countries can further enhance their defense and economic cooperation. 
 
Secretary Pompeo held a bilateral meeting with his Indonesian counterpart earlier today. He traveled to India, Sri Lanka and Maldives before visiting Indonesia.
 
Since Secretary Pompeo’s last visit in August 2018, the two countries have further deepened our bilateral ties. Strengthening its Strategic Partnership with Indonesia is a U.S. foreign policy priority, given Indonesia’s status as the world’s third-largest democracy and its historic leadership role in ASEAN.  

 
(WAH)