Jakarta (VNA) – US Secretary ofDefence Lloyd J. Austin III has spoken highly of Indonesia’s role in ASEAN, theIndo-Pacific and the world during talks with his Indonesian counterpart PrabowoSubianto.
According to a press release by the US Embassyin Indonesia on October 21, the two officials met and discussed opportunities for the two countries to coordinate in pursuitof a “free and open” Indo-Pacific as well as global issues of shared concern.
They emphasised the importance of continuedcooperation as regional security dynamics become increasingly complex.
Austin expressed his interest in continuing toassist in the modernisation of the Indonesian Military and to strengtheninteroperability between the two countries.
He also expressed his support for his counterpart’sfocus on military professionalisation, noting that Indonesia now has cadets inthree US service academies.
The officials also discussed significant advancements inbilateral defence cooperation, including the recent expansion of the SuperGaruda Shield joint military exercise this summer, the largest exercise of itstype between the two nations./.
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