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Indonesia quotes strong U.S. commitment as Antony Blinken starts Southeast Asia tour

 US Secretary of State Antony Blinken made a strong commitment to Indonesia on Monday as he started the Southeast Asia tour. Indonesia is Southeast Asia's biggest economy and its most populous nation.  A senior official said that the trip was aimed at strengthening ties with a region that has become a strategic ground for Washington and Beijing. 

He met Indonesia’s President Joko Widodo on a four-day tour that also includes Malaysia and Thailand. Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said Blinken showed his interest in partnering with Indonesia, especially in infrastructure. He further said that Blinken’s commitment was noticeable after the meeting. 

Antony Blinken and Joko Widodo meeting

Antony Blinken congratulated Widodo on Indonesia's Group of 20 presidencies and expressed support for its Indo-Pacific leadership role. State Department spokesman Ned Price said that in the meeting, Antony Blinken and Joko Widodo discussed the Covid-19 pandemic, human rights, and the climate crisis. The new variant of the Covid-19 virus is a major threat to the world. 

Antony Blinken in Jakarta

Blinken will reportedly deliver a speech on US Indo-Pacific strategy in Jakarta, before resuming his meetings in Malaysia and Thailand on Wednesday and Thursday respectively. Blinken’s aim is to elevate engagement with the 10-member ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) bloc. During his four-day trip, Blinken will also discuss US President Joe Biden’s vision for an Indo-Pacific economic framework. As per the report by UPI, Indonesia has a population of 275 million. Indonesia trails only India and the United States in size for countries with democratic government systems. Blinken will also discuss the measures for strengthening democracy, bolstering trade and economic ties, defending the freedom of navigation, and collaborating in cybersecurity. Reportedly, Blinken traveled to Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia from a Group of 7 foreign ministers meeting in Liverpool, England.


Antony Blinken starts Southeast Asia tour


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