Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto is scheduled to attend the Gaza Summit of the Board of Peace (BoP), an initiative established by United States President Donald Trump, in Washington, D.C. on Thursday (February 19, 2026). Following the summit, Prabowo is set to continue his US agenda by signing a tariff agreement titled the Agreement on Reciprocal Trade (ART) alongside Trump.

Minister of State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi stated at the DPR Building in Senayan, Jakarta, on Wednesday (February 18, 2026) that the President would attend the BoP meeting by invitation and, through coordination between the two countries, an additional agenda item would include the signing of a trade tariff agreement with the US government. He confirmed that the tariff cooperation signing is planned to take place after the BoP meeting concludes.

Prabowo’s decision to participate in the forum has sparked domestic debate, with observers suggesting that his actions and statements in Washington could significantly influence Indonesia’s internal political landscape.

Several weeks prior to the BoP meeting, Prabowo summoned a number of former foreign ministers, deputy foreign ministers, and senior diplomats to the Merdeka Palace in Jakarta. The Palace stated that the meeting aimed to discuss Indonesia’s global policy direction. However, ABC confirmed that one of the pressing issues prompting the President to convene them was Indonesia’s decision to join the Board of Peace. Former Deputy Foreign Minister Dino Patti Djalal was among those who expressed critical views on Indonesia’s participation in the BoP and was invited to the meeting that day.

In a policy analysis posted on his social media, Dino highlighted several concerns, including the structure of the BoP, which he argued differs from the mandate of the United Nations, Donald Trump’s leadership as chairman without a fixed term, and the involvement of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the BoP while Palestine was not granted representation. He stated that since Indonesia had already joined the Board of Peace, the government should consider several recommendations. If the BoP ultimately deviates from or diminishes the UN’s role, or effectively becomes a “Board of Trump” serving as a platform for foreign policy agendas that contradict Indonesia’s interests, principles, or international law, Indonesia should withdraw. He also emphasized the need to make clear from the outset that Indonesia would not pay a US$1 billion contribution to become a permanent member of the Board of Peace.

Dino pointed out that this amount is 500 times greater than Indonesia’s contribution to ASEAN or equivalent to 50 years of Indonesia’s dues to the UN.

Other critics argued that the decision was made hastily and without prior consultation with the Indonesian public or parliament. Nevertheless, the core of Prabowo’s argument is that as Donald Trump challenges international institutions such as the UN and establishes a new council, it would be preferable for Indonesia to be inside the room where those decisions are made.