Biden meets with Indonesian president who requested US mediation to stop crimes in Gaza

(Patria) - The leaders of the United States and Indonesia held talks on Monday that will set the stage for the first in-person meeting in a year between US President Joe Biden and Chinese leader Xi Jinping later this week, Reuters reported.

Biden welcomed Indonesian President Joko Widodo to the White House as the two leaders prepare for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in San Francisco, where Biden is expected to meet with Xi on Wednesday.

The US and Indonesia agreed on new cooperation in defense areas, including cybersecurity, space, combined exercises, and nuclear threats, the White House announced.

Regarding climate, they agreed to support the power grid and improve air quality. Reuters reported on Sunday that the two countries are working on advancing a potential mineral partnership focused on nickel metal for electric vehicle batteries.

The Biden administration remains concerned about environmental, social, and governance standards in Indonesia and is examining how an agreement could work. The White House said Biden will announce a memorandum of understanding between the two sides on sustainable energy and mineral development.

Indonesia seeks peace in Gaza

Widodo pressed Biden to take steps to end Israel's war with Hamas.

"Indonesia appeals to the US to do more to stop the crimes in Gaza. A ceasefire is necessary for the sake of humanity," Widodo said at the start of talks with the US president.

Indonesia, an archipelago of 270 million people, is the largest Muslim-majority nation. Many Muslims are angered by Biden's support for Israel after Hamas militants killed about 1,200 people and took more than 200 hostages on October 7, according to Israeli officials.

Palestinian officials say more than 11,000 Gaza residents have been killed in Israeli strikes.

"The president will ask Indonesia to play a greater role and help us in the Middle East," a US official said, without explaining what the expanded role might entail.

Like several of its Southeast Asian neighbors, Indonesia is economically intertwined with China, while having territorial disputes with its larger neighbor and seeking to avoid being caught in the middle of hostile Washington-Beijing relations.

Jakarta and Washington formally upgraded relations to the highest diplomatic level during the leaders' meeting.

The two leaders were expected to discuss Indonesia's diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict in Myanmar, where the military seized control in a 2021 coup.

Widodo, first elected in 2014, must leave office next year by constitutional mandate after serving the maximum two terms.