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Permanent interests

AS Benjamin Disraeli argued, in politics there are no permanent friends and no permanent enemies, only permanent interests. It's no surprise then that US is looking to communist Vietnam, which this week marked 30 years of its bitter war against America, and Muslim Indonesia as it moves to restructure its strategic equations in Southeast Asia.

The US, concerned over China's emergence as a big power, has enlisted the support of Vietnam and Indonesia, both emerging economies. While Washington needs Hanoi's help in building a bulwark against aggressive China, Jakarta is crucial to the grand coalition against terrorism that the US is trying to build. US point man Robert Zoellick, currently in Southeast Asia, will pursue these twin goals during his meetings with the leaders of Indonesia and Vietnam. Indonesia is particularly important in America's scheme of things.

The Asian giant, with its resources and strategic location, can be a crucial ally for the US.

Although US has defence tie-ups with other regional players like Japan, Thailand, Singapore and Taiwan, its ties with Indonesia assume extraordinary significance because of the country's Muslim identity. Indonesia, with a population of 241 million and an area of 1,919,440 sq kms, is critical because of the fact that it's the world's largest Muslim nation. However, Indonesia-US engagement should go beyond the military tie-up. It should help the two countries benefit from each other in various other ways. While Indonesia can help America restore its battered image in the Muslim world, Indonesia could benefit by opening itself to US investments.