WASHINGTON: Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto met with US President Joe Biden at the White House on Tuesday, November 12, and conveyed his congratulations to President-elect Donald Trump by phone during his official visit to Washington.

“I will work hard to strengthen Indonesia-US relations, and I want to work towards this end so that we can have strong cooperation,” Prabowo said.

Prabowo, who said he would pursue a non-aligned foreign policy, met with Biden in the Oval Office after publishing the video of his call to Trump.

He came to Washington directly from China, where he met with President Xi Jinping on his first foreign trip since taking office last month.

Washington sees Indonesia, Southeast Asia’s most populous country, as an important partner in a region where rival Beijing has deep trade and investment ties. Indonesia is also the world’s most populous Muslim-majority country.

While China is an important economic partner for Indonesia, Jakarta has also become a major buyer of US arms and wants to sell more metal from its mines to the West.

Biden said that the two leaders discussed climate, conflicts in the Middle East and the South China Sea at the White House.

Indonesia said on Monday that it does not recognize China’s claims to the vast majority of the South China Sea. Although a maritime development agreement was signed with Beijing.

“We continue to encourage Indonesia to work with legal experts to ensure that any agreement they make with (the People’s Republic of China) complies with international law, particularly the U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea,” a White House spokesman said. Karine Jean-Pierre at a press conference.

TRUMP CALL

Prabowo’s office said: He called Trump on Monday After arriving in Washington. He did not immediately respond when asked if there were plans to meet Trump in person.

In the video of the meeting published on social media accounts, Prabowo said, “Wherever you are, I am ready to fly to congratulate you personally, sir.” he said.

Trump responded, “We’ll do it whenever you want.”

Trump called his own election victory spectacular and said it gave him great authority.

He also said the Indonesian president was “very respected” and praised his English. Former special forces commander Prabowo responded: “My training is for America, sir.”

Prabowo’s office said he met with representatives of several US companies in Washington, including Freeport McMoRan and energy company Chevron, and urged the companies to invest in Indonesia.