'Phone diplomacy's not enough': S'pore minister meets Prabowo as thousands protest haze
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Singapore's Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan met with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto to discuss regional issues, including the ongoing haze crisis. The meeting emphasized the need for direct, high-level diplomacy to address transboundary environmental challenges.
Why it matters
Effective diplomatic communication is critical for managing environmental crises that cross national borders and impact public health in Southeast Asia.
News ✕ 'Phone diplomacy's not enough': S'pore minister meets Prabowo as thousands protest haze Published: Oct 29, 2026 5:37 PM Singapore Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan underscored the importance of “high-level direct communication” between governments in resolving transboundary issues, including the haze, during a three-day official visit to Jakarta.
“You can't conduct diplomacy just by the phone or through the media, with all due respect. There is a need for face-to-face direct explanation, conveying concerns, and also looking for solutions,” he said, according to Channel News Asia .
Acknowledging that issues such as the haze, which affects people in both Indonesia and Singapore, inevitably draw political involvement, Balakrishnan said...
Singapore Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan underscored the importance of “high-level direct communication” between governments in resolving transboundary issues, including the haze, during a three-day official visit to Jakarta.
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