During a meeting with Indonesian Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto, the US Secretary of Defense, Lloyd J. Austin III, lauded Indonesia’s leadership role in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the Indo-Pacific, and the world.

Secretary Austin met with Minister Subianto on Thursday (October 20, 2022) to discuss opportunities for further alignment between the United States and Indonesia as the two countries pursue a shared vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific as well as issues of global concern, Pentagon press secretary, Air Force Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder, informed, according to a release issued by the US Embassy in Jakarta on Friday.

During the meeting, Austin and Subianto emphasized the importance of continued cooperation as regional security dynamics become increasingly complex.

To support such an aim, Austin expressed his interest in continuing to assist in the Indonesian military’s modernization and strengthening interoperability between the United States and Indonesia.

The two leaders discussed significant advancements in the US-Indonesia defense cooperation, including the recent expansion of the “Super” Garuda Shield exercise this summer, the largest-ever exercise between the two countries.

Further, Austin expressed his support for Prabowo’s push for military professionalization, noting that Indonesia now has cadets at three US service academies.

He also emphasized the importance of the shared values between the United States and Indonesia—two of the world’s largest democracies.

During their meeting, both leaders reiterated the importance of maintaining the international rules and norms that preserve a free and open Indo-Pacific.

Source: Antara News