Indonesia-Vietnam meetings signal enhanced defense, regional security cooperation
Tom Abke
Indonesian Defense Minister and President-elect Prabowo Subianto’s recent visit to Vietnam marked a significant step in strengthening defense ties between the two Southeast Asian nations as they prepare to upgrade relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership in 2025.
Prabowo met with Vietnamese leaders, including recently appointed President Tô Lâm, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man, to discuss bolstering defense cooperation, particularly in maritime security, transnational crimefighting and peacekeeping operations.
Prabowo’s mid-September 2024 visit highlights the nations’ shared strategic interests in enhancing regional security, especially in the South China Sea. Hanoi and Jakarta have expressed concern over the escalating tensions in the contested waters, emphasizing the need for a united approach under the auspices of the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), of which both are members, and adherence to international law.
“We see a lot of potential to deepen defense relations with Vietnam, which will certainly make a positive contribution to regional stability,” Prabowo said after meeting with Man, according to Indonesia’s Defense Ministry. Man expressed Vietnam’s desire to further strengthen the strategic partnership as the nations prepare to mark 70 years of diplomatic relations in 2025.
Prabowo and the Vietnamese leaders also agreed to enhance information sharing and coordination to prepare for United Nations peacekeeping missions and to prevent illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing.
Chinh told Prabowo that Vietnam is prepared to collaborate with and support Indonesia in bolstering its food security through agricultural exports.
The leaders pledged to strengthen ASEAN unity and centrality, and emphasized the importance of maintaining peace, stability and security in the South China Sea by adhering to international law, particularly the 1982 U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea, according to Indonesian Ambassador to Vietnam Denny Abdi.
“As Indonesia and Vietnam have new leaders in 2024, I believe that the new leaderships will invigorate cooperation and inject a new energy for Indonesia-Vietnam relations as we strive towards our shared visions to become high-income economies by 2045,” Abdi said in a statement.
Prabowo’s visit was part of a trip that included stops in ASEAN member states Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia and Thailand, and focused on enhancing regional security cooperation and solidifying Indonesia’s defense partnerships.
Vietnam also is engaging in diplomatic outreach in the Indo-Pacific, including upgrading relations with several nations in 2023. It has established comprehensive strategic partnerships with Australia, Japan and the United States to strengthen defense, economic and security cooperation.
Hanoi’s partnership with Washington was elevated in recognition of shared interests in maintaining peace and stability, especially in the South China Sea. Similarly, Vietnam has deepened defense ties with India, particularly in response to mutual concerns about the People’s Republic of China’s assertive actions in the region.
Tom Abke is a FORUM correspondent reporting from Singapore.