Australia and Indonesia have finalised a new defense pact. And marking a significant step forward in the relationship between the two countries. This agreement comes as Prabowo Subianto, Indonesia’s current defense minister, prepares to take office as the country’s next president in October.
Details of the Agreement
Australia and Indonesia have been negotiating a defense agreement since February 2023. But the details haven’t been fully revealed yet. People believe the deal includes joint military drills, deployments to each other’s territories, and more cooperation on maritime issues. Especially in the disputed South China Sea. The agreement is expected to be officially signed in a few days when Australia’s Defense Minister visits Jakarta.
Strengthening Ties
Prabowo, who is on a two-day official visit to Australia, described the defense pact as a “very good outcome” that will be “beneficial to both our countries in the future.” After meeting with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in Canberra, Prabowo expressed his desire for broader cooperation with Australia beyond defense matters. He highlighted areas such as the economy, food security, agriculture, and the fight against international drug trafficking as key areas for future collaboration.
According to Prabowo, we would want to see more Australians involved in our economy. I’m committed to keep up our positive neighbourly friendship. Australia is really significant to us.
A New Era of Cooperation
In a statement, the Australian Department of Defence emphasised that Albanese and Marles had discussed Australia’s commitment to working closely with Indonesia. To work on shared economic, security, and environmental priorities. Marles described the defense pact as one of the most significant agreements ever negotiated between the two countries. He noted that the agreement would lead to much closer cooperation between their defense forces.
Marles said reporters that this agreement will allow for far greater interoperability between our defense forces. More cooperative training and operations will result from it. Especially to uphold the rules-based order in the global commons. Crucially, it will enable our armies to conduct operations from the nations of each other. Marles emphasised that this pact represents the deep and significant defense agreement that Australia and Indonesia have ever made.
Prabowo’s Foreign Policy Vision
As Prabowo prepares to take over as Indonesia’s president, many observers anticipate a stronger focus on foreign affairs than under the current president, Joko Widodo. Prabowo, a former special forces commander, is expected to take a more active role in international relations. Unlike Widodo, who rarely attended international forums like the United Nations General Assembly, Prabowo is likely to engage more with global issues.
Prabowo’s rise to power is not without controversy. His human rights record has been a subject of concern for many. Prabowo, who was once the son-in-law of Indonesia’s long-serving authoritarian president, Soeharto. The military dismissed him in 1998 after implicating him in the kidnapping of student activists. Authorities also accused him of leading a massacre in East Timor in 1983. But he has denied these allegations.
Calls for Human Rights Accountability
Despite the excitement surrounding the new defense pact, some voices are urging caution. Daniela Gavshon, the Australia director at Human Rights Watch, called on Australian leaders to hold Prabowo accountable for Indonesia’s human rights record. She emphasised the need for Australia to address issues like religious freedom and LGBTQ rights during their discussions with Prabowo.
Gavshon stated that Australian officials shouldn’t allow Prabowo’s human rights record to stop them from bringing up contemporary human rights issues. It is vital to highlight that the incoming president has a significant chance to improve. On Indonesia’s reputation on West Papua and other human rights matters.
Way Forward
The new defense pact between Australia and Indonesia marks a significant step in strengthening ties between the two countries. As Prabowo Subianto prepares to take office as Indonesia’s president, the agreement lays the foundation for deeper cooperation on defense and other critical issues. The international community will be watching closely to see how Prabowo addresses ongoing concerns about human rights in Indonesia.