These visits are a small but pertinent indication of the way in which Southeast Asian countries are seeking to balance China against the US and India against China, and not bandwagon with any one of those powers by choosing the probable winner in an imminent conflict.
Southeast Asia is trying to find its place in the global power transition that is underway by simultaneously engaging the United States, the dominant global power; China, its chief countervailing power; and India, China’s main rival in Asia.
In that spirit, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has made one trip each to China, India and the US since his presidency began in October 2024. Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has made three trips to China, two to the US and one to India since his premiership began in November 2022.
