REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi, at a meeting with US Vice President Mike Pence, discussed strategic cooperation between Indonesia and the US to tackle terrorism and radicalism through a soft power approach.

Minister Marsudi paid an honorary visit to US Vice President Pence in Washington D.C. on Thursday (May 4), according to a press release from the Indonesian Foreign Ministry received by Antara here on Friday.

At the meeting, Foreign Minister Marsudi noted that Indonesia has sound credentials in leading global efforts in the fight against radical ideologies. She believed that this was possible, as Indonesia is a tolerant Muslim nation.

Marsudi emphasized that global perceptions that connect acts of terrorism with certain doctrines and religions must be changed, as it will not solve the problems and could even potentially lead to bigger issues. 

"Indonesia is a clear example that terrorism is not linked to a particular religion, as Islam in Indonesia promotes the message of peace and tolerance and reflects Islam as a blessing to all humankind," she asserted.

Vice President Pence, during his visit to Indonesia in April, had expressed his admiration for the culture of tolerance in Indonesia.

At a meeting with the Indonesian foreign affairs minister in Washington D.C., Pence again praised Indonesia's diversity and tolerance.

Meanwhile, Marsudi stated that the values of plurality and tolerance are soft powers and the main capital in stemming radical ideologies and terrorism. 

"The values of plurality and tolerance are the assets of the Indonesian nation that are highly admired by other nations, including the US. We should be proud and continue to maintain the noble values of the nation that uphold tolerance and pluralism," Foreign Minister Marsudi added.

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