President Prabowo Engages in Active Diplomacy Amid Global Crisis, Teddy: International Relations Cannot Be Built Overnight

The cabinet of President Prabowo Subianto has emphasised that the Head of State’s overseas visit agenda is conducted to strengthen international relations and protect Indonesia’s interests amidst a global situation fraught with uncertainty.

This statement was made by Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya in response to criticisms from former Deputy Foreign Minister Dino Patti Djalost, who highlighted the frequency of President Prabowo’s foreign travels since officially taking office. Teddy noted that maintaining good relations between nations is vital, particularly as the world faces various crises and geopolitical tensions that could directly impact Indonesia.

“We must build good relations so that when an emergency situation or specific conditions arise, we can assist one another,” Teddy stated in a video uploaded via the official social media of the Presidential Secretariat on Monday, 2 June 2026.

Diplomacy as a Strategic Step Amidst Global Uncertainty

According to Teddy, President Prabowo is executing both annual state agendas and responding to rapidly evolving global developments. He noted that as Prabowo began leading Indonesia, the world was already facing various conflicts and crises across several regions. These conditions necessitate direct communication between the Head of State and other world leaders to ensure Indonesia’s position and interests remain secure.

Teddy emphasised that trust and international relations cannot be established instantly once a crisis has already occurred; therefore, a diplomatic approach from the outset is considered a crucial step. “Personal relationships and mutual trust between leaders cannot be built suddenly when an emergency situation arises,” he said. He further explained that diplomacy occurs not only in official public forums but also through personal communications that are often not visible to the public.

Response to Criticism Regarding the Frequency of Overseas Travel

Previously, Dino Patti Djalal questioned the intensity of President Prabowo’s foreign visits over the past approximately eighteen months. He raised several concerns, ranging from the financing of these trips and the size of official delegations to the transparency of the agenda and the opportunities to meet other world leaders in international forums. In response, Teddy stated that all of the President’s diplomatic agendas are determined based on national priorities and Indonesia’s strategic needs.