Indonesia and Thailand enhance ties with strategic partnership
- Indonesia and Thailand's leaders met to discuss the elevation of their relationship during a historic state visit.
- The countries agreed to enhance cooperation in multiple areas including trade, defense, and health initiatives.
- This partnership illustrates a mutual commitment to tackle regional security challenges and uplift economic ties.
In a significant diplomatic move, Indonesia and Thailand agreed to upgrade their relationship to a strategic partnership during the first state visit by an Indonesian president in 20 years. This historic occasion took place on May 15, 2023, in Bangkok, coinciding with the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two Southeast Asian nations. Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto met Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra amid ceremonial honors, symbolizing their commitment to deepening bilateral ties. The leaders' discussions highlighted plans to boost cooperation in various fields such as trade and investment, healthcare, tourism, and food security. Determined to expand economic relations, they emphasized the importance of joint initiatives that would benefit the citizens of both nations. Additionally, the leaders expressed a shared commitment to addressing regional security challenges, notably enhancing maritime security coordination, counterterrorism efforts and cybersecurity collaboration. Both nations underscored the need for increased police cooperation to tackle transnational issues, particularly online scams, human trafficking, and drug trafficking. They highlighted recent regional efforts that involved repatriation of victims who had fallen prey to scams in Myanmar, reinforcing their commitment to combatting organized crime across borders. Ministers from both countries finalized a memorandum of understanding focusing on health initiatives that include disease prevention and control, alongside enhancing medical tourism capabilities between their nations. Discussions also covered the ongoing complex humanitarian crisis in Myanmar, a matter of significant concern for regional stability. President Subianto praised Thailand's pivotal role in fostering dialogue aimed at peaceful solutions to the crisis, whereby he reiterated the necessity for inclusive dialogue and the relevance of unity within ASEAN. Given the turmoil following the military coup in Myanmar in February 2021, which led to widespread human rights violations and public unrest, both leaders recognized the urgency of collaborative regional responses. Their joint efforts reflect a strategic vision for enhancing security and stability, benefiting not only Indonesia and Thailand but also the broader Southeast Asian region.