Prabowo's trips build ties amid global uncertainty: cabinet secretary

Jakarta (ANTARA) - President Prabowo Subianto's overseas visits are intended to strengthen ties with world leaders and safeguard Indonesia's interests during a period of global uncertainty, Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya said.

His remarks responded to comments by former deputy foreign minister Dino Patti Djalal, who questioned the frequency of Prabowo's foreign travel since taking office.

"We need to cultivate good relationships so that if an emergency arises, we can rely on each other for assistance," Teddy said in a video posted on the Cabinet Secretariat's official social media account on Monday.

Teddy said the president follows an annual agenda while also responding to urgent domestic and international developments as global conditions shift rapidly.

He said Prabowo took office while multiple crises were unfolding in several regions, requiring Indonesia's leader to engage directly with counterparts abroad.

Building international relationships and trust cannot be done suddenly when a crisis occurs, Teddy said, making early engagement with foreign leaders essential.

He added that diplomacy involves not only formal public meetings but also personal communication that often takes place away from public view.

Responding to Dino's suggestion that Prabowo maximize meetings on the sidelines of international forums, Teddy said such decisions are made according to national priorities.

Prabowo and Foreign Minister Sugiono determine which engagements are most important and whether meetings require personal attendance, telephone discussions or other forms of communication, he said.

Teddy said leaders also decide whether diplomatic contacts should be publicly disclosed or remain confidential, depending on the circumstances.

He added that face-to-face meetings are not always necessary, noting that diplomatic exchanges can be conducted effectively through phone calls and other communication channels.

Dino earlier criticized Prabowo's overseas travel, citing concerns over trip funding, the size of official delegations, transparency of schedules, the frequency of foreign visits during the past one-and-a-half years, and opportunities to meet leaders during international gatherings.