This Article is From Sep 22, 2015

White House Says Indonesia President to Visit October 26

White House Says Indonesia President to Visit October 26

File Photo: Indonesian President Joko Widodo. (Agence France-Presse)

Washington: The White House on Monday announced that Indonesia's Joko Widodo will visit Washington on October 26 for a crucial first visit since becoming president last year.

"As leaders of two of the largest democracies in the world, the president and President Widodo will discuss plans to expand existing areas of bilateral cooperation," a White House statement said.

The visit will be an opportunity for both presidents to measure each other up.

It also comes as President Barack Obama -- who once lived in Indonesia -- presses for Jakarta to play a bigger role in regional affairs.

The world's most populous Muslim nation has long punched below its weight, struggling with domestic economic and democratic development.
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