Jakarta — Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto met the United States' Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director Kash Patel on Wednesday, July 22 2026, at his private residence in Kertanegara, Jakarta,
.The meeting focused on strengthening cooperation between Indonesia and the United States. Director Patel handed over a set of Indonesian cultural artifacts that had been smuggled into the United States, Indonesian Cultural Minister Fadli Zon said on Thursday, 23 July.
Minister Fadli said the meeting included informal talks and a formal handover ceremony.
"Besides discussions as friends, he also presented cultural artifacts, in the return of cultural objects and artifacts smuggled into the United States," the minister explained, referring to Director Patel.
He added that the artifacts were returned after provenance research, and Patel carried them directly to Prabowo.
Minister Fadli said the objects came from Papua. He said the artifacts belong to the cultural heritage of Dani, Asmat, and Danau tribes near Lake Sentani, in Papua Province. The minister said the pieces hold major historical and cultural value for Indonesia.
The FBI has helped return stolen Indonesian artifacts before, including bronze statues and objects from several cultural sites, Fadli said. He said Indonesia wants that cooperation to continue.
"We hope the cooperation with the FBI, particularly regarding the repatriation and restitution of these cultural objects, will be strengthened in the future, supported by the State Secretary and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs," Minister Fadli said.
He said the artifacts will go on display at the National Museum in Jakarta and the museum will make the objects available for public viewing and education.***
