President Prabowo Enhances International Cooperation Through Working Visits
By: Rahmat Hidayat )*
President Prabowo Subianto continues to demonstrate his commitment to strengthening international cooperation through various strategic working visits to several countries. These visits not only affirm Indonesia’s position in the global arena, but also strengthen bilateral relations with various major partners. This step was taken as part of the government’s efforts to improve national welfare through mutually beneficial partnerships.
During his visit to Malaysia, President Prabowo was accompanied by a number of ministers from the Red and White Cabinet, including Minister of Foreign Affairs Sugiono, Minister of Primary and Secondary Education Abdul Mu’ti, Minister of Trade Budi Santoso, and Minister of Investment Rosan Roeslani. The meeting with the Yang Dipertuan Agong of Malaysia Sultan Ibrahim Ibni Sultan Iskandar and Prime Minister of Malaysia Anwar Ibrahim was an important moment to discuss strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries.
Deputy for Protocol, Press, and Media of the Presidential Secretariat Yusuf Permana stated that this discussion included strategic steps to enhance cooperation in various fields, including trade and investment.
On this occasion, President Prabowo received the honorary award of Darjah Kerabat Johor Yang Amat Dihormati Pangkat Pertama (D.K I Johor), an award that was previously given to the 2nd President of the Republic of Indonesia, Soeharto, in 1990. This award is a symbol of national pride and emphasizes the close relationship between the two countries. Yusuf Permana assessed that receiving this award is an acknowledgment of Indonesia’s contribution in strengthening bilateral relations with Malaysia.
In addition to strengthening relations with Malaysia, President Prabowo also continued his strategic steps through a state visit to India. In a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President Prabowo expressed his appreciation for the long relationship that has existed between the two countries.
President Prabowo reminded that since the struggle for independence, India has been one of Indonesia’s main supporters on the international stage. Political and symbolic assistance from India at that time, such as land grants for the Indonesian Embassy, became a strong foundation in bilateral relations that continue to grow to this day.
President Prabowo stated that Indonesia-India relations have entered a new chapter to strengthen cooperation in various strategic sectors. The two countries agreed to enhance collaboration in the fields of infrastructure, defense manufacturing, renewable energy, and artificial intelligence (AI) technology.
In order to ensure smooth investment, President Prabowo is committed to reducing bureaucratic obstacles. He emphasized that his government will provide full support so that this cooperation can run effectively and bring real benefits to both countries.
In addition, several memorandums of understanding (MoUs) were signed during this visit, covering the fields of health, maritime security, communication technology, and culture. The signing of this MoU was carried out by a number of high-ranking Indonesian officials, including Minister of Foreign Affairs Sugiono and Minister of Health Budi Sadikin. This agreement is expected to be the foundation for the development of closer and more productive bilateral relations in the future.
Not only in South Asia, President Prabowo also built close relations with Japan. In a meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru in Jakarta, the two countries agreed to enhance cooperation in the food sector, especially in providing nutritious food for school children in Indonesia.
Japan offers support through training, sending experts, and improving the fisheries and agriculture sectors. Ishiba Shigeru emphasized that his country is committed to supporting Indonesia’s efforts to improve the quality of life of the younger generation. He said that Japan, with more than 80 years of experience in providing nutritious food for schools, is ready to organize a cooperation package that includes training, dispatch of experts, and other relevant initiatives.
This step is in line with President Prabowo’s grand vision to ensure that Indonesia’s young generation has adequate nutrition. Japan also offers assistance in the fisheries and agriculture sectors to support the sustainability of the program. This collaboration is expected to be a concrete step in supporting Indonesia’s young generation to grow up healthy, smart, and ready to compete at the global level.
The strategic steps taken by President Prabowo show that the Indonesian government is serious about utilizing international relations as a tool to accelerate national development.
