Prabowo and Thai PM Agree to Boost TNI-RTARF Joint Military Exercises
President Prabowo Subianto has officially declared full support for increasing the frequency of joint military exercises between the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) and the Royal Thai Armed Forces. The agreement was one of the crucial points in a bilateral meeting with the Thai Prime Minister, Anutin Charnvirakul, at the Merdeka Palace in Jakarta on Monday.
During the meeting, President Prabowo emphasised that strengthening defence ties is a strategic investment in the future of both countries. According to him, solid collaboration between Indonesia and Thailand will make a significant contribution to the stability and strength of the ASEAN region as a whole.
President Prabowo specifically highlighted the importance of improving both the quality and quantity of interaction between the two armed forces. This includes increasing the number of joint exercises and expanding officer exchange programmes for education and training in each country.
“In my view, we must strengthen our defence and security cooperation. We must increase the number and level of joint training between our two armed forces. We must increase our exchange of officers in training and education,” President Prabowo said in his statement.
Beyond the security sector, the Head of State also encouraged the expansion of partnerships in the economic sphere. The main focus was directed at trade, investment, and the crucial issues of food and energy security. Prabowo believed that synergy in these areas would strengthen the bilateral partnership whilst bringing prosperity to the people of both countries.
Furthermore, collaboration in digital technology and the strengthening of people-to-people contacts were also among the agendas pushed for immediate implementation.
In between the formal discussions, President Prabowo revealed a long-standing personal closeness with the King of Thailand, Maha Vajiralongkorn. On this occasion, the President also entrusted birthday wishes for King Vajiralongkorn to be conveyed through PM Anutin Charnvirakul.
The Thai Prime Minister’s official visit to Jakarta proceeded intensively. After a one-on-one meeting, the two leaders chaired a bilateral meeting, followed by the signing of several cooperation documents. The day’s agenda concluded with a joint press statement and an official state dinner at the Merdeka Palace in honour of the Thai delegation. (Ant/I-1)