Prabowo Meets Tony Blair at Kertanegara After Receiving Singapore PM and Welcoming Modi

President Prabowo Subianto received former British Prime Minister Tony Blair at his private residence in Kertanegara, Jakarta, Monday, June 6 evening. (Photo: Rusman - Presidential Secretariat Press, Media, and Information Bureau) 

JAKARTA - President Prabowo Subianto's diplomatic day is not over even though he has received Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and welcomed Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Monday night, July 6, Prabowo again received former British Prime Minister Tony Blair at his private residence in Kertanegara, Jakarta.

The meeting took place after the President's busy agenda since morning. Prabowo received Lawrence Wong in a series of Indonesia-Singapore meetings, then picked up Narendra Modi at Halim Perdanakusuma Air Base.

Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya said the meeting between Prabowo and Blair was warm. The two were referred to as old friends who met to greet each other and exchange views.

"The meeting took place warmly at his private residence in Kertanegara, Jakarta. This meeting between two old friends is an important moment to nostalgia and to meet," wrote Teddy in a written statement received on Tuesday, July 7.

According to Teddy, the meeting was not only light conversation. Prabowo and Blair also discussed global strategic developments.

"On this occasion, the two also shared views on various global strategic developments," said Teddy.

Tony Blair is not a stranger in international politics. He served as Prime Minister of Great Britain for three consecutive terms, from 1997 to 2007.

The meeting at Kertanegara showed that Prabowo still opens communication with international figures outside the official diplomatic channels between countries. For Indonesia, this kind of relationship can be an additional space to read the direction of global politics, especially when geopolitical competition is getting tougher.

Teddy said the government wanted to continue strengthening relations with international leaders and figures. The goal is to expand the network of cooperation and improve Indonesia's position in the global arena.

"Through strategic meetings like this, the government is committed to continue strengthening relations with various international leaders and figures to improve Indonesia's position and competitiveness in the global arena," wrote Teddy.

The meeting between Prabowo and Blair is part of a busy international agenda in Jakarta. In one day, Indonesia received leaders from Singapore, welcomed the Indian leader, then opened talks with the former British leader who still has a wide network in global issues.