Indonesia will move slowly on Australia defence ties

Significance

This was in response to the latest developments regarding AUKUS, a pact between Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States aimed at providing Canberra with nuclear-powered submarines. Indonesia and Australia committed to strengthening defence cooperation at a meeting of their foreign and defence ministers last month.

Impacts

• Jakarta will work hard to make sure that its reservations about AUKUS do not mar bilateral relations.
• Shared concern over Chinese assertiveness will remain a key source of commonality.
• Indonesia and Australia will both continue to play key leadership roles in the region.