ASEAN centrality is at the core of the US President's strategyfor the Indo-Pacific, the diplomat stated in his recent interview with Indonesia’sAntara news agency.
Abraham made this statement in response to questions on USPresident Joe Biden's absence at the 43rd ASEAN Summit slated for September 5-7in Jakarta.
Despite Biden's non-attendance at the 43rd ASEAN Summit, heaffirmed that the US Government remains committed to supporting ASEANcentrality.
This was evident from the special summit that the Presidentheld in Washington DC and his visit to Cambodia and Indonesia last year.
Meanwhile, for Vice President Kamala Harris, this trip willbe her third to the region, and Indonesia will be the fifth ASEAN memberstate she has visited./.