Iranian leader visits Indonesia to deepen economic ties amid global geopolitical challenges

By ACHMAD IBRAHIM and NINIEK KARMINI
Associated Press

BOGOR, Indonesia (AP) — Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi has met with his Indonesian counterpart Joko Widodo during a two-day trip aiming to strengthen economic ties between the Muslim-majority nations. With a backdrop of heightened global geopolitical tensions, Widodo hosted Raisi at a ceremony Tuesday in the colonial-style presidential palace outside the capital. Raisi is visiting at Widodo’s invitation as Indonesia aims to speed up its post-pandemic recovery by increasing its exports. The visit is expected to deepen Iran’s ties with Indonesia as Tehran seeks alternatives to the United States-led Western domination of international affairs. It also wants further cooperation after the two nations concluded negotiations this month on the Indonesia-Iran Preferential Trade Agreement worth $20 billion.