Jordan's king and Indonesia's leader hold talks on economic ties and Gaza

JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — Jordan’s king and Indonesia's leader on Friday held talks as the two longtime friends agreed to strengthen military cooperation and economic ties between the two Muslim-majority nations.

King Abdullah II and President Prabowo Subianto share a long-standing personal relationship as alumni of the U.S. Fort Benning military academy that dates to 1995 when both were still serving as military officers in their respective countries.

Three years later, Subianto sought self-exile in Jordan amid allegations of his involvement in the 1998 abductions of political activists during the dark days of Indonesia’s military dictatorship. Despite his stateless status at the time, he was welcomed by then monarch King Hussein, Abdullah’s father. Subianto lived in Amman for several years before returning home in 2008.

Abdullah’s state visit to Indonesia, the world’s most populous Muslim-majority country and Southeast Asia’s largest economy, was the fourth stop on his tour to Asian nations that includes Japan, Vietnam, Singapore and Pakistan.

Abdullah received a warm welcome in Indonesia's capital, Jakarta, with his royal plane escorted by two fighter jets. He was welcomed on the tarmac by Subianto at Halim Perdanakusuma Air Force Base. The king rode with Subianto in a motorcade to the Merdeka palace, where the two leaders held talks.

“I have an emotional bond with Jordan, His Royal, His Majesty and (then) His Majesty King Hussein who kindly received me 27 years ago — that was how close we are," Subianto said before the meeting, “Please consider Indonesia your second home and Indonesia respects you highly."

“We want to work closely with you,” he said.

In a rare gesture, Subianto invited Abdullah to dinner at his private residence in South Jakarta, not a formal state banquet in the presidential palace as visiting heads of state are usually granted. It was a reflection of the personal connection between the two leaders.

“I am proud and honored to be here, proud and honored to call you my old friend,” Abdullah said. “I know that in the discussions that we’re having tonight and tomorrow, there are many new opportunities to strengthen the bond between Indonesia and Jordan.”

When Subianto visited Jordan in April, months after his inauguration as Indonesian president, the king drove a vehicle with Subianto seated beside him in the front passenger seat and took him to his hotel.

During his two-day visit to Indonesia, Abdullah also will meet with representatives of the country’s sovereign wealth fund Danantara Indonesia to discuss opportunities for long-term sustainable investment that contribute to both Indonesia’s economic development and global partnerships, thus possibly expanding the fund’s list of foreign partners.

Danantara Indonesia, established in 2021 to manage and invest the country’s national assets, plays a crucial role in driving strategic investments across various sectors to support national development and economic growth.