Indonesia’s president said the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) should view the Australia-United Kingdom-United States (AUKUS) pact as a partner instead of a competitor to ensure peace in Asia.
Indonesian President Joko Widodo, who holds the presidency of the 10-member regional bloc this year, said that ASEAN is “open and inclusive” by nature and will not serve as “a proxy” to any nation.
“ASEAN is the only regional organization that offers various forms of diplomacy. ASEAN’s principle is collaboration, cooperation, and active involvement,” he told Malaysian broadcaster Media Prima on May 8.
When asked about his plan to boost ASEAN’s role in the Indo-Pacific amid the emergence of AUKUS and the Quad—both excluded ASEAN nations—Widodo said ASEAN should view these groups as “partners” in ensuring stability in the region….