US President Joe Biden's Asia trip unlikely to include attendance at ASEAN summits
Reuters further reported Biden is not anticipated to travel to Indonesia. Furthermore, a Washington-based ambassador representing an ASEAN member revealed that Indonesia was informed on Monday about Biden's decision to not attend. Asked if it was correct that Biden would not be going to Indonesia, a senior White House official told Reuters on Tuesday: "We're still working on it ...
we'll probably have more to say about it soon." White House spokespersons did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Sources told Reuters that Biden's schedule for Asia is not official until it has been announced and could change. Several ASEAN diplomats said it would be a significant disappointment if Biden did not go to Jakarta, given the public emphasis his administration puts on the importance of ties with the region.
A senior diplomat pointed out that Indonesia intentionally rescheduled the ASEAN summits, typically held in November, to September, aiming to accommodate Biden's attendance and his subsequent participation in the G20. Insiders indicated that Biden was projected to delegate Vice President Kamala Harris to represent him. Harris, who is the first Asian American vice president, has previously engaged in diplomatic efforts within the region.
Also Read: India and ASEAN mark 30 years of diplomatic relations in Cambodia Biden previously generated disappointment within the area by canceling a trip to Papua New Guinea in May, which would have marked the first visit by a sitting US president, along with a subsequent scheduled visit to Australia. These cancellations were due to his efforts to negotiate a resolution to the US debt ceiling crisis with lawmakers. During an address at an event connected to ASEAN in Washington on
. Read more on livemint.com
