The Secretary of the Security Council of Russia and former Minister of Defense Sergei Shoigu is visiting the Indonesian capital Jakarta today, where he will meet with President Prabowo Subianto, reports Agence France-Presse, BTA reports.
Shoigu arrives in Indonesia at a time when the two countries are taking steps to strengthen defense cooperation.
Indonesia maintains neutrality in its foreign policy and refuses to take sides in the conflict in Ukraine, as well as in the strategic rivalry between the United States and China.
During his visit, Sergei Shoigu will discuss security and defense issues with senior Indonesian officials, the Russian RIA news agency reported.
Indonesian President Prabowo, who took office in October last year, has said his country will be more active on the international stage.
Indonesia and Russia held their first joint naval exercises in November, underscoring growing defense cooperation between the two countries.