Prabowo's Washington Visit: Indonesia's Expanded International Role and Strategic Investments

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto visited Washington D.C. last week. During his visit to the US capital, Prabowo attended several business forums and high-level conferences. Prabowo departed for the United States (US) from Indonesia on Thursday, February 19, 2026. He was accompanied by Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya, Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Bahlil Lahadalia, Minister of Investment and Downstream Development and CEO of Danantara Rosan Perkasa Roeslani, and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sugiono. While in Washington, Prabowo announced the involvement of Indonesian troops in a peacekeeping mission to the Gaza Strip, Palestine. He also signed a trade agreement with US President Donald Trump. Here are some facts about Prabowo’s visit to the United States: Prabowo Invites US to Invest in Education and Health Prabowo attended a business summit at the U.S. Capitol. Chamber of Commerce, Washington D.C., United States, on Wednesday, February 18, 2026. During the meeting, Prabowo invited American educational institutions to collaborate with Indonesia. In the forum, Prabowo emphasized the importance of education. He also revealed plans to build 10 new campuses and 500 high-quality schools in Indonesia. “(We) invite foreign educational institutions to come to Indonesia. We are opening up (cooperation) in the education sector,” Prabowo said. Prabowo also invited American businesses to invest in the health sector, noting that Indonesia lacks sufficient doctors. Prabowo invited American businesses to invest in Indonesia. “I believe in what I learned from American entrepreneurs: ‘Let’s make money together.’ It’s a win-win situation. Everyone benefits, everyone benefits,” Prabowo said. Attending the Board of Peace Summit Prabowo attended the inaugural meeting of the Board of Peace in Washington, D.C., United States, on Thursday, February 19, 2026. The meeting was attended by US President Donald Trump and approximately 20 other heads of state from the Peace Council. Other leaders in attendance included those from Albania, Argentina, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Kazakhstan, Hungary, Pakistan, Paraguay, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, and Egypt. Representatives also included representatives from Belarus, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Turkey, and Israel. At the summit, Prabowo announced that Indonesia would deploy troops to the Gaza Strip alongside the Board of Peace. Indonesia was also appointed as the deputy commander of these troops. Indonesia Appointed Deputy Commander of the ISF Indonesia has accepted the United States’ offer to serve as Deputy Commander of the International Stabilization Force (ISF). This information was conveyed by US Major General Jasper Jeffers—appointed by Donald Trump as ISF Commander—at the inaugural meeting of the Peace Council in Washington, D.C. Jefers explained that ISF personnel are tasked with ensuring stabilization in Gaza. The troops are planned to be deployed in five different sectors in the Gaza Strip: Rafah, Khan Yunis, Deir el-Balah, Gaza City, and North Gaza. Each sector, Jeffers said, will receive one ISF brigade. “I also want to announce that I have offered, and Indonesia has accepted, the position of Deputy Commander of the ISF,” Jeffers said. “With these initial steps, we will help realize the security Gaza needs for a prosperous future and lasting peace.” In the same meeting, Prabowo stated that Indonesia is preparing approximately 8,000 Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) soldiers to be deployed to the Gaza Strip, Palestine, via the ISF. “We are ready to contribute troops to actively participate in the International Stabilization Force to achieve this peace,” said the Chairman of the Gerindra Party. Trump Calls Prabowo a “Tough Guy” In his speech at the Peace Council meeting, US President Donald Trump expressed his appreciation for the presence of the representatives of the countries in attendance, including President Prabowo. Trump stated that the countries joining the Peace Council not only contributed money but were also willing to send personnel to maintain the ceasefire and ensure peace in Gaza, Palestine. Trump then mentioned Indonesia as one of the countries that would send troops to Gaza. “Indonesia, thank you very much, Indonesia. This is a great country,” Trump said, as broadcast on the White House’s official YouTube channel. Trump then called Prabowo a “tough guy.” The Republican politician also said that Prabowo had done a great job and was respected by everyone. “He’s tough and smart. And smart is more important,” Trump said. Prabowo Meets with 12 Investors Prabowo met with 12 leaders of global investment firms in a meeting as part of a working visit to Washington, D.C., United States. The investors are chief executive officers (CEOs) and presidents of companies with total assets under management of approximately US$15 trillion. Rosan Perkasa Roeslani, Minister of Investment and Downstream Investment/Head of the Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM), who is also CEO of Danantara, stated that the meeting lasted almost two hours. “We initially estimated it would last an hour because the discussion was very fruitful and productive,” Rosan said in a written statement on Saturday, February 21, 2026. Rosan recounted that President Prabowo emphasized during the meeting that Indonesia no longer wants to be known as a sleeping giant. “It’s time for Indonesia to rise, move, and maximize the full potential of the national economy with global partners,” he said. One of the investors who met with Prabowo was Todd Boehly, CEO of Eldridge Industries, who also owns Premier League club Chelsea and the LA Lakers basketball team. Indonesia and the US Sign Trade Agreement The Indonesian government officially signed a reciprocal trade agreement with the United States government on Friday, February 20, 2026, Indonesian time. The agreement signing took place in Washington, D.C., USA. Coordinating Minister for Ec