Jakarta – The newly elected President of Indonesia, Prabowo Subianto, received congratulations from the US Secretary of Defense, Lloyd J. Austin III, following his confirmation by the General Elections Commission (KPU). Austin extended his congratulations through a phone call on Wednesday (April 24).

“Secretary Austin conveyed congratulations from President Biden to Minister Prabowo on his recent victory in the Indonesian presidential election,” according to a press release from the US Department of Defense.

During the call, Prabowo and Austin discussed the US-Indonesia defense relationship, as well as shared views on regional and global security dynamics. They also talked about the potential for deepening defense cooperation, including the modernization of Indonesia’s military.

Prabowo expressed his gratitude and reaffirmed Indonesia’s commitment to fostering a close partnership with the US.

“I am delighted to receive a warm call from my esteemed friend, the United States Secretary of Defense, the Honorable Lloyd J. Austin III, who extended his congratulations on the presidential election results,” said Prabowo.

“Our conversation today reflects the commitment to advancing the mutual interests of our two great nations. I look forward to enhancing our partnership and working closely on strategic issues,” he continued.

Austin also emphasized the importance of shared values between the two, which represent the largest democracies in the world. He appreciated Indonesia’s recent success in airdropping humanitarian aid to Gaza.

Another agreement from the conversation was the commitment to maintaining international rules and norms to preserve a free and open Indo-Pacific region.