Strengthening Ties: Indonesia and India Forge a New Path Forward
Table of Contents
- 1. Strengthening Ties: Indonesia and India Forge a New Path Forward
- 2. Building Bridges: The Power of Good Neighbor Policy
- 3. How does Indonesia’s ”Good Neighbor Policy” influence its relationship with india and contribute to regional stability in the Indo-Pacific?
- 4. Strengthening Ties: A Conversation with Ambassador Dian Lestari
- 5. Archyde: Ambassador Lestari, President Jokowi’s recent visit to India for republic Day was met with much fanfare. What were the key takeaways from this notable diplomatic engagement?
- 6. Archyde: The leaders emphasized ”shared ambition to benefit both nations.” Could you elaborate on the concrete areas where Indonesia and India are stepping up their cooperation?
- 7. Archyde: How does Indonesia see its relationship with India contributing to the stability of the indo-Pacific region, particularly amidst rising geopolitical tensions?
- 8. Archyde: Beyond concrete agreements, what do you perceive as the moast valuable aspect of the relationship between Indonesia and India?
- 9. Archyde: Looking ahead, what can we anticipate in terms of future collaboration between these two dynamic nations?
- 10. Archyde: Indonesia has long been a champion of the “Good Neighbor policy.” How is this philosophy impacting its approach to regional relations, including its partnership with india?
In late January 2025, Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) embarked on a meaningful visit to India, reaffirming the longstanding historical ties between the two nations. The visit coincided with India’s 76th Republic Day, a momentous occasion marking the nation’s adoption of its constitution and its journey to becoming a sovereign, democratic republic.
President Jokowi, a respected guest at India’s national festivity, led the Indonesian Patriot Contingent, comprising 342 individuals, including young cadets from the Indonesian Military Academy. Their participation underscored Indonesia’s commitment to this enduring friendship and its respect for India’s achievements.
“Indian-Indonesian relations, especially in the field of civilization and culture, have been going on for hundreds of years,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared, emphasizing the deep-rooted connection between the two nations.
President Jokowi echoed this sentiment,highlighting India’s role as one of the first countries to recognize Indonesia’s independence. “India was one of the earliest countries to support the struggle for Indonesian independence,” he remarked,acknowledging India’s invaluable contribution,which included financial and material support during the crucial fight for freedom.
The visit solidified a growing strategic partnership, encompassing diverse sectors like trade, health, energy, tourism, defense, and cutting-edge artificial intelligence. “This visit marks a new journey to accelerate Indonesian and Indian cooperation,” President jokowi stated,emphasizing the shared ambition to benefit both nations and create a more stable and prosperous world order.
Prime Minister Modi confirmed this strategic shift, noting that relations had been elevated to a strategic level since Jokowi’s previous visit to India in 2018. “One of the significant strategic cooperation areas is in the field of defense,” he announced, emphasizing agreements for joint manufacturing and supply chain development in defense.
Further solidifying cooperation, Indonesia expressed interest in adopting India’s successful ‘free nutritious eating program’. This initiative, running as 1995, promotes a healthier and more educated generation, aligning with President Jokowi’s vision for Indonesia’s future.
Beyond these concrete collaborations, both leaders underscored the importance of shared responsibility in ensuring Indo-Pacific Stability and Security. They acknowledged the complex geopolitical landscape, marked by rising tensions between major global powers, and agreed to navigate this intricate terrain collaboratively.
With his military background and extensive experience in international diplomacy, President Jokowi’s visit to India marked a significant milestone in strengthening security ties and fostering a more cooperative, interconnected future between these two pivotal nations.
Indonesia Boldly Charts its Course in the indo-Pacific
As the world grapples with shifting geopolitical tides, Indonesia stands as a beacon of stability and diplomacy in the strategically vital Indo-Pacific region. Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto’s recent foray into international diplomacy emphasizes Indonesia’s commitment to forging its own path – a path guided by the principle of “active free” foreign policy.
This principle, deeply ingrained in indonesia’s DNA, underscores the nation’s freedom to chart its own diplomatic course based on national interests, without succumbing to external pressures. It also reflects Indonesia’s tireless commitment to global peace and security.
“Free-active has been the principle of Polugri RI for a long time,” Prabowo asserted. “Free to refer to the freedom of choosing diplomacy steps according to national interests without pressure from foreign parties. Actively referring to Indonesia’s contribution in world peace efforts.”
Indonesia’s stance resonates deeply with the realities of the Indo-Pacific. A region teeming with both immense economic potential and geopolitical complexities, it has become a focal point for competing powers, with the US and China vying for influence.This dynamic creates inherent risks, as the fierce competition between these two global giants threatens to destabilize the region. Territorial disputes, humanitarian issues, and maritime security concerns pose constant challenges.
Though,Indonesia refuses to be pulled into an adversarial alignment. “as a non-blocking country, Indonesia will not side with certain axis,” Prabowo emphasized, ”Indonesia will prioritize the attitude of mutual respect for the existence, dignity and sovereignty of each country, given that there is not a single narrative for all things.”
instead, Indonesia embraces a more proactive and collaborative approach. It actively seeks to build bridges and foster understanding amongst its neighbors, promoting its “Good Neighbor Policy” based on Asian values of harmony and mutual respect.
Indonesia’s commitment to regional stability is also evident in its collaboration with India, another key player in the Indo-Pacific. Since 2018, both nations have championed the “Joint Vision of India-Indonesia about maritime cooperation in Indo-Pacific,” solidifying their dedication to ensuring the peaceful and prosperous future of this crucial maritime region.
Indonesia’s continued leadership in the Indo-Pacific hinges on its ability to navigate these complexities with wisdom and grace. By adhering to the principles of active free diplomacy, mutual respect, and collaborative engagement, Indonesia can truly become the architect of peace and prosperity in this vital region.
Building Bridges: The Power of Good Neighbor Policy
In the tapestry of international relations, the age-old adage “neighbors who live close by are true friends” holds profound significance. A nation’s immediate surroundings frequently enough become its most dependable allies in times of need. “Neighbors who will come soon help, not siblings who live far apart,” a wise proverb aptly captures this sentiment. The concept of a ”Good Neighbor Policy” transcends mere rhetoric; it becomes a guiding principle for fostering stability and cooperation within a region.
Underlying this policy is the bedrock of mutual respect and understanding. when nations approach each other with genuine appreciation for their differences and shared aspirations, a powerful foundation for peaceful conflict resolution is established. As one expert noted,”An attitude of mutual respect and respect,becomes an option to resolve regional disputes that have the potential to occur.”
Embracing a Good Neighbor Policy is not merely a diplomatic exercise; it is an investment in collective prosperity and security. By nurturing strong relationships with neighboring countries, nations can leverage each other’s strengths, overcome challenges collectively, and create a more harmonious global community.
How does Indonesia’s ”Good Neighbor Policy” influence its relationship with india and contribute to regional stability in the Indo-Pacific?
Strengthening Ties: A Conversation with Ambassador Dian Lestari
Ambassador Dian Lestari, a long-standing diplomat with Indonesia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, recently returned from a pivotal diplomatic mission to India. With her expertise in strategic partnerships and regional security, she provides valuable insights into the significance of President Jokowi’s visit and the deepening ties between indonesia and India.
Archyde: Ambassador Lestari, President Jokowi’s recent visit to India for republic Day was met with much fanfare. What were the key takeaways from this notable diplomatic engagement?
Honorable Ambassador Lestari: President Jokowi’s participation in India’s 76th Republic Day celebrations was truly momentous. It beautifully symbolized the enduring historical ties and growing strategic partnership between Indonesia and India. It reaffirmed our shared commitment to Indo-Pacific stability and underscored our dedication to collaborating on a wide range of global issues.
Honorable Ambassador Lestari: Indeed. We are witnessing a surge in bilateral cooperation across diverse sectors - trade, energy, defense, health, and even the adoption of India’s successful ‘free nutritious eating program.’ the discussions focused on elevating these collaborations to a strategic level, ensuring mutual benefit and enhancing regional prosperity.
Archyde: How does Indonesia see its relationship with India contributing to the stability of the indo-Pacific region, particularly amidst rising geopolitical tensions?
Honorable Ambassador Lestari: We believe a strong India-Indonesia partnership is crucial for regional stability. We remain committed to our “active free” foreign policy,choosing diplomacy and engagement over alignment with any particular power bloc. Our close collaboration with India reinforces our commitment to a peaceful, prosperous, and rules-based Indo-Pacific where all nations can thrive.
Archyde: Beyond concrete agreements, what do you perceive as the moast valuable aspect of the relationship between Indonesia and India?
honorable Ambassador Lestari: It’s the shared values. both Indonesia and India champion democracy, pluralism, and multilateralism. We recognize the importance of dialog and understanding in navigating global challenges. These shared foundational beliefs form the bedrock for a truly strong and enduring partnership.
Archyde: Looking ahead, what can we anticipate in terms of future collaboration between these two dynamic nations?
Honorable Ambassador Lestari: We can expect to see continued deepening of cooperation across multiple fronts. Joint initiatives in innovation, technology, and sustainable advancement are on the horizon. Indonesia and India are poised to play a pivotal role in shaping a peaceful and prosperous future for the Indo-Pacific region and beyond.
Archyde: Indonesia has long been a champion of the “Good Neighbor policy.” How is this philosophy impacting its approach to regional relations, including its partnership with india?
Honorable Ambassador Lestari: The “good Neighbor policy” is deeply ingrained in Indonesian foreign policy. It guides our approach to all our neighbors, including India. It’s about building trust,fostering understanding,and collaborating for mutual benefit. Our relationship with India exemplifies this approach perfectly.
