In an unusual diplomatic moment, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese fed the Indonesian president’s cat during a formal dinner in Jakarta.
Albanese attended the dinner at Merdeka Palace on Thursday evening on the final night of his visit to Indonesia.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Anthony Albanese feeds Indonesian President’s cat.
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During the meal, President Prabowo Subianto’s cat, Bobby Kertanegara, was wheeled into the room in a pram and placed to the left of where Albanese sat.
Wearing matching brown batik shirts that complemented the president’s attire, Albanese patted Bobby’s head and picked him up, drawing smiles and applause from the room.
In a video posted on President Subianto’s social media, Albanese gifted Bobby a red fabric scarf collar embroidered with the words “Australia ❤️ Indonesia” and wrapped it around the cat’s neck.
He also fed Bobby some cat treats while smiling and chatting with Foreign Minister Penny Wong, who was seated beside him, as guests looked on warmly.
Subianto later expressed his gratitude to Albanese and the Australian delegation.
“The relationship between Indonesia and Australia as close neighbouring countries is important to maintain and strengthen,” he said in the video description.
Albanese was given a spectacular welcome at the presidential palace during his visit, with horse-riding soldiers leading his limousine past hundreds of flag-waving school children.
He stressed Indonesia remained a significant partner in the Indo-Pacific as tensions in the region rose.
“The future of our region is shaped by shared opportunity and secured through collective responsibility,” he said.
“The deepening of our trade with Indonesia and the strengthening of investment in Indonesia is natural and vital.”
The visit marked Albanese’s first official overseas trip since being re-elected on May 3.
He departed for Rome on Friday, where he is expected to attend the inaugural mass of Pope Leo XIV.
The prime minister will return to Australia next week, after he sits down with Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong.
– With AAP
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