Fri Dec 13 01:34:16 UTC 2024: ## Indonesia’s New President Charts Independent Course in Foreign Policy

**JAKARTA** – Indonesia’s newly inaugurated President Prabowo Subianto is signaling a shift in the nation’s foreign policy, moving away from his predecessor’s focus on economic diplomacy to a more assertive approach involving closer defense ties. While analysts predict a strengthening of relationships with both the US and China, the exact balance remains unclear.

Prabowo’s early visits to Australia, Russia, China, and the US, suggest a desire to cultivate diverse partnerships. His visit to Russia and China before the US has raised concerns in some quarters about a potential tilt towards those powers. However, experts suggest logistical constraints during the US election may have influenced the order of his visits.

His approach differs significantly from that of former President Joko Widodo (“Jokowi”), who prioritized attracting foreign investment. Analysts believe Prabowo, through his defense minister, will actively pursue greater engagement with the US Pentagon, while simultaneously deepening military cooperation with China, including the resumption of joint exercises. The extent to which these relationships will evolve and potentially rival the intensity of US-Indonesia military cooperation remains to be seen.

Despite concerns, experts highlight Prabowo’s commitment to strengthening the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). They believe his leadership will bolster ASEAN’s influence amid growing US-China rivalry. Indonesia, under Prabowo, is expected to diversify its security partnerships, potentially including Australia, France, India, the Philippines, South Korea, and Vietnam, to mitigate the impact of great power competition.

Prabowo’s background as a former special forces general and past human rights allegations present a complex dynamic in his dealings with Western nations. While some Western countries may see him as a potential counterbalance to China, his past has led to travel bans in the US and Australia that were later lifted.

The relationship with Australia, particularly given Australia’s involvement in the AUKUS security pact, presents a significant challenge. Australia’s close alignment with the US contrasts with Indonesia’s policy of “bebas-aktif” (“free and active”) non-alignment, potentially creating friction as Indonesia seeks to maintain balanced relationships with all major powers.

Prabowo himself has emphasized the importance of strong relationships with both the US and China, portraying Indonesia as a potential bridge between the two. The coming five years will be crucial in determining how successfully he navigates this delicate balancing act and shapes Indonesia’s role on the global stage.

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