The United States has lifted its ­20-year ban on Indonesian ­Defence Minister Prabowo ­Subianto over alleged human rights abuses, which some experts see as an attempt to ­balance China’s growing military and ­economic influence in Southeast Asia’s largest country. Experts say the move is aimed at balancing China’s power in Southeast Asia. 

Reaching out to Prabowo was a way for the US to balance China’s influence, to ensure ­Indonesia did not move “too far to China’s side”, said Dr Alex Arifianto of the S Rajaratnam School of International ­Studies.