Vice President Kamala Harris to Deepen Outreach to Southeast Asia at Jakarta Summit
WASHINGTON — Vice President Kamala Harris is set to strengthen her engagement with Southeast Asia this week at an international summit in Jakarta, Indonesia. This trip marks her third visit to Southeast Asia and fourth to Asia overall, solidifying her position as a key interlocutor for the Democratic administration in countering Chinese influence and building partnerships in the Indo-Pacific.
The absence of President Joe Biden at the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit has raised doubts about the U.S. commitment to the region. However, White House national security spokesman John Kirby stated that Harris has prioritized alliances and partnerships in the Indo-Pacific, and her current itinerary aligns perfectly with her focus.
While Biden’s decision to skip the summit has caused frustration, ASEAN itself faces challenges in convincing world leaders of its central role in the region. Internal disagreements over territorial claims in the South China Sea and global competition between the United States and China have hindered progress. The organization has also been criticized for its failure to resolve civil strife in Myanmar since the military coup two years ago.
According to Marty Natalegawa, Indonesia’s former foreign affairs minister, ASEAN’s effectiveness will determine the leaders’ future attendance at its summits. Natalegawa emphasized the need for reflection and improvement within the organization to maintain relevance.
The absence of President Biden, however, does not imply a snub towards ASEAN or the region, as stated by national security spokesman Kirby. He reaffirmed the administration’s commitment by highlighting Biden’s hosting of the first Washington summit with ASEAN leaders last year.
Vice President Harris’s presence at the Jakarta summit is seen as crucial for the U.S. to show its attention towards Southeast Asia. It is an opportunity for the U.S. to build stronger partnerships, even if the summit may not bring significant progress on key issues.
During her two-day visit to Jakarta, Harris is expected to attend summit events and hold discussions with foreign leaders. Her office has not yet released a detailed schedule.
The leaders convening in Jakarta will address heightened tension in the South China Sea after Beijing released a new official map emphasizing its territorial claims. The aggressive approach of China towards the region presents an opportunity for the U.S. to forge stronger partnerships.
President Biden has consistently underlined China as the top foreign policy challenge for the U.S., aiming to deter Beijing from supplanting Washington as the most powerful global force. Harris has previously visited countries in the region such as Singapore, Vietnam, Japan, South Korea, the Philippines, and Thailand, with a focus on addressing the rivalry with China.
The summit in Jakarta provides an avenue for Harris to further enhance her foreign policy credentials as she prepares for a challenging campaign year. As Republican presidential candidates criticize her preparedness to step up if President Biden is unable to finish a second term, Harris aims to demonstrate her commitment to U.S. engagement with Southeast Asia.
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Associated Press writer Edna Tarigan contributed from Jakarta, Indonesia.