Enviro News Asia, Washington, D.C — Indonesia has intensified parliamentary outreach efforts by engaging members of the United States Congress and inviting them to visit Indonesia in 2026, as part of efforts to strengthen bilateral relations and promote mutual understanding between the world’s two largest democracies.
Since assuming his post in Washington, D.C. four months ago, Indonesian Ambassador to the United States Indroyono Soesilo has actively built partnerships with U.S. legislators from both major political parties. His engagements aim to introduce Indonesia’s government policies, strengthen legislative ties, and enhance cooperation under the U.S.–Indonesia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, signed in 2023.
The ambassador has held discussions with several members of Congress, including Ami Bera (Democrat–California), Ed Case (Democrat–Hawaii), Rudy Yakym (Republican–Indiana), and Young Kim (Republican–California). He also met with Carol Miller (Republican–West Virginia), Chair of the Indonesia Caucus in the U.S. Congress, to discuss implementation of the strategic partnership, including cooperation in the oil, gas, and coal industries—key sectors for West Virginia.
Congresswoman Miller expressed her commitment to further mobilize support within the U.S. Congress for stronger foreign policy engagement with Indonesia.
Ambassador Indroyono’s initiative has begun to materialize with the confirmation of a congressional delegation visit to Indonesia in March 2026, marking the first such visit in three years. The delegation, organized under the House Democracy Partnership (HDP), will be led by Vern Buchanan (Republican–Florida), Chair of the HDP.
The delegation will include members from both parties, namely Dina Titus (Democrat–Nevada), Neal Dunn (Republican–Florida), Norma Torres (Democrat–California), Gwen Moore (Democrat–Wisconsin), Delia Ramirez (Democrat–Illinois), Andy Ogles (Republican–Tennessee), and Lloyd Doggett (Democrat–Texas).
During their visit, the U.S. lawmakers are scheduled to meet leaders of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI), members of Indonesia’s Red and White Cabinet, and review several ongoing Indonesia–U.S. cooperation projects.
Ahead of the visit, Ambassador Indroyono hosted a farewell dinner for the visiting members of Congress on Tuesday, 3 February 2026, at the Indonesian Residence on Tilden Street, Washington, D.C. The event aimed to introduce Indonesia’s social and cultural diversity, as well as its rich culinary heritage, prior to the delegation’s departure.
Indonesia, home to more than 280 million people, is the world’s third-largest democracy and the country with the largest Muslim population globally.
