TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President-elect Prabowo Subianto received a congratulatory phone call from United States Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III after the General Elections Commission (KPU) declared his electoral victory on Wednesday. In a written statement, the US Department of Defense said Austin reiterated President Joe Biden's congratulations on Prabowo's victory in the Indonesian presidential election.

To Austin, Prabowo expressed his gratitude and reiterated Indonesia's commitment to fostering a close partnership with the US.

“Our conversation today reflects a commitment to advancing the shared interests of our two great countries, he said. "I hope to improve our partnership and collaborate closely on strategic issues."

Apart from the presidential election, Prabowo and Austin also discussed US-Indonesian defense relations, as well as various views on regional and global security dynamics. The two also discussed the potential for strengthening defense cooperation, including the modernization of the Indonesian military.

Austin, in the conversation again emphasized the importance of shared values between Indonesia and the United States, two of the world’s largest democracies. The US Secretary of Defense also appreciated Indonesia's success in carrying out an airdrop of humanitarian aid to Gaza.

Both Austin and Prabowo also reiterated the importance of maintaining the international rules and norms that preserve a free and open Indo-Pacific.

DANIEL A. FAJRI

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