Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese met Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto in Jakarta on Thursday, strengthening defence and economic ties in his first overseas visit since re-election.

Calling Indonesia an “indispensable partner,” Albanese urged deeper defence cooperation following a bilateral agreement on maritime security, counter-terrorism, and disaster response. Prabowo reaffirmed Indonesia's pledge to ratify the agreement, according to Reuters.

The leaders also discussed trade, food security, energy transition, and critical minerals, with Indonesia encouraging more Australian investment.

Albanese denied rumors that Russia was attempting to gain military access in Papua, claiming that Indonesia had flatly rejected the idea. As both countries strive for more cooperation in the face of changing global dynamics, ties remain robust despite divergent strategic perspectives, Reuters reported.