Yet perception can be as powerful as policy. The image of Prabowo himself standing beside Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Kim during the recent military parade in Beijing, followed by the foreign minister’s visit to Pyongyang, may fuel speculation that Indonesia is drifting toward the Eurasian bloc.
Such interpretations, however, overlook Jakarta’s fundamental diplomatic instinct: to maintain equal distance from all major powers while maximising its interests.
Much like its industrial partnerships with Chinese electric vehicle giants such as BYD and CATL, Jakarta’s diplomacy reflects a pragmatic effort to draw benefits from all sides without surrendering control.
The visit to Pyongyang will not transform the Korean Peninsula overnight, but it underscores a conviction that engagement, especially from middle powers, can still carve out space for diplomacy in an era of confrontation. Whether this quiet diplomacy succeeds will depend on Jakarta’s ability to balance symbolism with substance.
But one thing is clear: for Indonesia, the true measure of sovereignty lies not in choosing sides, but in maintaining the freedom to speak with all.
Akhmad Hanan is an independent Indonesian researcher specialising in geopolitics and energy. This commentary first appeared on the Lowy Institute’s blog, Interpreter.
Source: CNA
