Indonesia, the United States and more than a dozen allies launched annual joint military exercises on Monday to boost defence capabilities and “deter aggression” in the Asia-Pacific region.
Jakarta maintains a neutral foreign policy, what it calls “free and active”, as it walks a diplomatic tightrope seeking good relations with both Washington and Beijing. The Southeast Asian giant held a joint navy drill with China this month that was blasted by Taiwan as a “provocation”.
Indonesia, the US and certain allies have taken part in the annual drills, known as the Super Garuda Shield, for nearly two decades.
This year’s edition will entail 4,700 soldiers from countries including Britain, France and Japan drills in several locations including Sumatra and Borneo islands until September 11.
East Timor, Italy, Thailand and other nations have sent observers.
Patrick Ellis, commander of the US Fourth Infantry Division, said the exercise was critical for “building the human architecture that keeps the Indo-Pacific safe”.