Nov. 11 (UPI) — President Joe Biden will hold a White House meeting with President Prabowo Subianto of Indonesia on Tuesday to celebrate 75 years of U.S.-Indonesian relations as the two leaders discuss ways to strengthen their countries’ cooperation.
Biden will also pay tribute to those affected by the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami in the Indian Ocean that killed more than 225,000 people in a dozen countries including Indonesia, according to the White House.
During Tuesday’s meeting, the two leaders will explore options to strengthen U.S.-Indonesian cooperation as part of their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Biden and Subianto are also expected to discuss food security, clean energy transition, democracy and pluralism, as well as regional peace and stability.
“Advancing cooperation on humanitarian aid and disaster relief” are also on the table, the White House said in a statement Monday.
Subianto, who was Indonesia’s former defense minister, was elected president in March and sworn into office last month amid allegations of fraud and nepotism.
“We extend an invitation to all Indonesians to join hands and unite,” Subianto said after he was elected in March.
“Let us work together harmoniously to bring prosperity to Indonesia,” said the 72-year-old son-in-law of Suharto, Indonesia’s former president who was accused of presiding over a three-decade-long military dictatorship, marked by rampant corruption.
Subianto, who has denied accusations of human rights abuses, has vowed to “work as hard as possible for the Indonesian people.”
In August, mass protests erupted over the government’s attempt to reverse a constitutional court ruling that would open elections to rivals from smaller parties.
Before heading to the United States this week, Subianto signed $10 billion in new deals with China at a business forum on Sunday in Beijing.
“We must give an example that in this modern age, collaboration — not confrontation — is the way for peace and prosperity,” Subianto said. “Indonesia is very clear. We have always been nonaligned. We have always been respectful of all great power in the world.”
On Monday, the new Indonesian president posted a video as he spoke on the phone to U.S. President-elect Donald Trump.
“Glad to be connected directly with President-elect Donald Trump to extend my heartfelt congratulations on his election as the 47th president of the United States,” Subianto wrote in a post on X.
“I am looking forward to enhance the collaboration between our two great nations and to more productive discussions in the future.”
Glad to be connected directly with President Elect @realDonaldTrump to extend my heartfelt congratulations on his election as the 47th President of the United States.
I am looking forward to enhance the collaboration between our two great nations and to more productive… pic.twitter.com/KfSVUsZSGc— Prabowo Subianto (@prabowo) November 11, 2024