Vice President Kamala Harris Engages in Diplomatic Outreach Amid Questions and Internal Issues at Southeast Asia Conference

Vice President Kamala Harris is set to expand her diplomatic initiatives in Southeast Asia during an international conference in Jakarta, Indonesia. Her presence aims to dispel concerns about the United States’ dedication to the region, concerns that have been heightened due to President Joe Biden’s non-participation.

This marks Harris’ third diplomatic mission to Southeast Asia and her fourth to the Asian continent as a whole, making it the region she has visited most frequently. Her consistent engagement, along with meetings she has convened in Washington, establishes her as a pivotal diplomatic figure for the Biden administration, especially in counterbalancing China’s regional influence.

In the political landscape, this latest excursion serves as an avenue for Harris to solidify her international relations expertise, particularly as she heads into a politically challenging year. Republican contenders have criticized her, suggesting she lacks the experience to assume the presidency should Biden, the oldest serving U.S. president, be unable to complete a second term.

White House National Security Spokesman John Kirby stated that Harris has made strengthening alliances in the Indo-Pacific a cornerstone of her vice-presidential responsibilities. Her current itinerary aligns well with her established focus areas, he noted.

However, President Biden’s decision to not attend the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) meeting has stirred discontent, especially since he will be visiting India and Vietnam contemporaneously. His physical proximity makes the absence even more conspicuous, according to Marty Natalegawa, Indonesia’s former Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Natalegawa admitted that ASEAN itself is grappling with its own internal limitations, including the inability to resolve the civil unrest in Myanmar and stagnation in negotiations concerning the South China Sea. The organization, representing over 650 million people and the world’s fifth-largest economy, has been ineffective at rallying international leaders to its cause.

John Kirby rejected the notion that Biden’s absence indicates a withdrawal of U.S. interest in the region, pointing out that Biden hosted the inaugural Washington summit with ASEAN leaders last year.

Ja-Ian Chong, Associate Professor of Political Science at the National University of Singapore, noted that Harris’ attendance serves to maintain U.S. engagement in a conference that may not yield significant progress on key matters.

Harris is due to leave on Monday morning and will engage in two days of intensive meetings in Jakarta. While her schedule has yet to be released, she is expected to partake in conference events and engage in bilateral discussions with select foreign dignitaries.

Following Harris’ return, President Biden will travel to India to participate in the annual G-20 summit, an assembly of the world’s most economically powerful nations. Subsequently, he plans to visit Vietnam to further cement relations with the emerging economic powerhouse.

Gregory B. Poling, Director of the Southeast Asia Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, noted that while the administration’s choices may be regrettable, they are not necessarily erroneous given their circumstances.

Tensions are surging in the backdrop of the Jakarta conference, especially in the South China Sea, following China’s release of a new territorial map, aggravating other nations who dispute these territorial claims. This strategic maritime zone is pivotal for international trade.

Analysts and U.S. officials opine that China’s assertive postures in the region present Washington with an opportunity to forge stronger relationships. David Stilwell, former Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs under President Trump, stated that China’s actions are inadvertently facilitating U.S. strategic objectives.

Although the Biden administration has been heavily focused on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the President has reiterated that China remains the foremost foreign policy challenge. He has framed much of his domestic and international agenda as efforts to deter China from usurping the United States as the preeminent global power.

During a recent fundraising event, Biden referred to China as a “ticking time bomb” due to its economic and demographic issues, indicating that this could lead to adverse actions on the global stage.

Vice President Harris has previously visited numerous Asian countries, including Singapore, Vietnam, Japan, South Korea, the Philippines, and Thailand. These journeys have often been aimed at navigating the intricate geopolitics involving China. Speaking from a U.S. Navy destroyer near Tokyo last year, Harris criticized China’s maritime assertiveness and its coercive tactics against its neighbors.

Harris also became the highest-ranking U.S. official to visit Palawan, a Filipino island close to the contested South China Sea, pledging U.S. support for the Philippines in resisting external intimidation and coercion.

Contributions by Edna Tarigan from Jakarta, Indonesia.

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More about Kamala Harris Southeast Asia Summit

• U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris’ Previous Visits to Asia
• Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)
• Biden Administration’s Foreign Policy Goals
• China’s Influence in Southeast Asia
• Territorial Disputes in the South China Sea
• Myanmar’s Ongoing Civil Strife
• Washington Summit with ASEAN Leaders
• The Geopolitical Importance of the South China Sea