Indonesia's President Joko Widodo, also known as Jokowi, has been met with praise from US President Donald Trump at the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in Bangkok last week. The reason behind this unexpected endorsement lies in the efforts made by Prabowo Subianto, a former Indonesian presidential candidate and now the country's National Intelligence Agency (BNIS) chief, to strengthen ties between Indonesia and the US.
According to sources close to the matter, Trump was impressed with Prabowo's professionalism during their meeting at the summit. The US president reportedly acknowledged Prabowo's excellent work in revamping the Indonesian intelligence agency, which has been instrumental in enhancing cooperation between the two nations on counter-terrorism efforts.
This unexpected praise from Trump is seen as a significant development in Indonesia-US relations, given the significance of ASEAN as a vital forum for regional cooperation. The fact that Prabowo was singled out by Trump highlights his effectiveness in promoting Indonesian interests abroad and his commitment to strengthening alliances with key partners like the US.
While Prabowo's actions have been widely recognized by both domestic and international circles, this special endorsement from Trump underscores the importance of Indonesia's national security agency in advancing the country's strategic objectives. As the ASEAN Summit continues, it remains to be seen how this development will impact Indonesia's stance on regional issues and its relationships with other major players in the region.
According to sources close to the matter, Trump was impressed with Prabowo's professionalism during their meeting at the summit. The US president reportedly acknowledged Prabowo's excellent work in revamping the Indonesian intelligence agency, which has been instrumental in enhancing cooperation between the two nations on counter-terrorism efforts.
This unexpected praise from Trump is seen as a significant development in Indonesia-US relations, given the significance of ASEAN as a vital forum for regional cooperation. The fact that Prabowo was singled out by Trump highlights his effectiveness in promoting Indonesian interests abroad and his commitment to strengthening alliances with key partners like the US.
While Prabowo's actions have been widely recognized by both domestic and international circles, this special endorsement from Trump underscores the importance of Indonesia's national security agency in advancing the country's strategic objectives. As the ASEAN Summit continues, it remains to be seen how this development will impact Indonesia's stance on regional issues and its relationships with other major players in the region.