Prabowo Subianto’s Foreign Policy: Pragmatism Drives Indonesia’s Agenda

President Prabowo Subianto’s initial diplomatic engagements are setting a clear course for Indonesia’s foreign policy, with a strong emphasis on domestic needs and self-sufficiency. His first 100 days in office have been characterized by strategic visits and agreements designed to bolster Indonesia’s economic and developmental objectives. This approach marks a distinct style compared to his predecessor, highlighting a hands-on, personalized approach to diplomacy. Prabowo is positioning himself as a foreign policy president, shaping Indonesia’s international relations to serve his ambitious domestic agenda.

Prabowo Subianto is establishing himself as a foreign policy president, shaping Indonesia’s international relations to serve his enterprising domestic agenda. While maintaining Indonesia’s “free and active” foreign policy doctrine, Prabowo’s implementation reflects a commitment to practical independence and national ambition. This strategy involves engaging with various global powers to secure partnerships that contribute to Indonesia’s growth and autonomy.

Shifting Style, Maintaining Principles

Indonesia’s foreign policy under President Prabowo Subianto is characterized by a pragmatic approach, focusing on securing partnerships that advance the nation’s domestic agenda. This strategy is evident in Indonesia’s engagement with China, BRICS, and the OECD, reflecting a commitment to self-sufficiency and economic progress. While the core principles of Indonesia’s “free and active” foreign policy remain, Prabowo’s style marks a departure from his predecessor’s approach.

The signing of two strategic memorandums of understanding (mous) with China in the mineral sector on November 9, 2024, during Prabowo’s state visit to Beijing, sparked debate among analysts. The discussion centered on a statement regarding “overlapping claims” in the South China Sea. This led to concerns about Indonesia’s commitment to the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

The statement initially gave the impression that Indonesia recognized China’s claims in the South China Sea.However,Minister of Foreign Affairs Sugiono refuted this notion two days later. While in Beijing, Prabowo also secured funding for his Program Makan Bergizi Gratis (MBG), or Free nutritious Meal Programme. Choosing China for his first overseas trip was a pragmatic decision, not a shift in allegiances.

Prabowo’s vision is of “a robust, autonomous Indonesia that cooperates internationally but is dependent on nobody.” This vision is a restatement of the free and active foreign policy doctrine, emphasizing practical independence grounded in domestic ambition.

Foreign Minister Sugiono’s annual press Statement on January 10 further underscored this shift. Sugiono assumed more of an envoy role, focusing on Prabowo’s Asta Cita policy, which prioritizes domestic welfare and growth. The MBG program and the push for self-sufficiency were key points repeated throughout the speech, highlighting Prabowo’s focus on fulfilling a domestic agenda through foreign policy.

The Pursuit of Asta Cita

Indonesia’s pursuit of self-sufficiency, especially in food production, is not new. During the Soeharto era, the country achieved global recognition for rice production self-sufficiency. However, this success proved unsustainable, leading to increased dependence on imports. Prabowo aims to revive this spirit of independence across various sectors,including energy.

Since his 2014 presidential bid, Prabowo has advocated for energy self-sufficiency through diversification, including renewable sources like hydropower, solar, wind, geothermal, biofuels, and nuclear energy. Achieving this requires partnerships to exploit advances in renewable technologies.

Indonesia’s need for partners extends to tapping the vast natural gas reserves in the Natuna Sea. In 2017,ExxonMobil engaged in talks to explore the Natuna D-alpha or East Natuna gas field but later withdrew,deeming it uneconomical. This opened the door for China to step in.

Indonesia has initiated talks with major Chinese energy firms like Sinopec and Petrochina for oil and gas cooperation. These firms are currently involved in joint studies to explore energy resources in Buton and Timor. Sinopec has also partnered with Pertamina to boost oil production through enhanced oil recovery (EOR) techniques. A potential partnership with china in the Natuna Sea could substantially impact Indonesia’s natural gas reserves.

In housing,Hashim Djojohadikusumo,head of Indonesia’s housing task force,revealed that a Chinese firm pledged to build 1 million urban dwelling units. This exemplifies how foreign engagements are addressing domestic priorities.

However, Chinese involvement in Indonesia’s energy sector does not exclude cooperation with the United states. Indonesia has engaged in extensive discussions with the U.S. regarding nuclear power development. US-based ThorCon Power plans to build Indonesia’s first nuclear power plant in Bangka Belitung,chosen for its thorium deposits.During his visit to Washington, prabowo secured a promise from the U.S. for cooperation in developing small modular reactor (SMR) nuclear technology.

President Prabowo has also emphasized Indonesia’s potential in biodiesel production, aiming to implement a 50 percent palm-oil-based biodiesel blend by early 2025. He has expressed interest in collaborating with Brazil to advance this initiative.

Brazil, already a partner in biofuel development, will play a key role in this strategy. Both countries, with the world’s largest palm oil plantations, are at the forefront of the biofuels race. Prabowo signaled his interest in deepening cooperation with Brazil during the G20 summit,building on their triumphant collaboration in biodiesel production.

Prabowo is also engaging with the Middle East to support his vision of Indonesia as a rising powerhouse in the Islamic world. deputy Foreign Minister Anis Matta highlighted commitments from Qatar and the UAE to fund 7 million units of a 15-million-unit housing program under Prabowo’s management.

Indonesia and BRICS: A Strategic Move

In 2025, Indonesia became the first Southeast Asian state to join the BRICS inter-regional bloc as a full member. This decision reflects Prabowo’s pragmatism, driven by national economic development considerations.

By joining BRICS, Indonesia aims to tap into option resources and explore new opportunities within emerging markets, not just China. This move is viewed through the lens of national economic development.

As a founding member of the 1961 Non-Aligned Movement,Indonesia’s BRICS membership might raise questions about a shift away from its non-aligned,free and active foreign policy. Tho, Indonesia intends to influence BRICS to prevent it from becoming an anti-West bloc.

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prabowo’s Pragmatic Pivot: Is Indonesia’s Foreign Policy a Masterclass in Strategic Self-Sufficiency?

is President Prabowo Subianto fundamentally reshaping Indonesia’s global standing, or is his approach a clever adaptation of existing foreign policy principles?

Interviewer: Dr. Anya Sharma, welcome to World Today News. Your expertise on Indonesian foreign policy is highly regarded. President Prabowo Subianto’s approach has been described as “pragmatic.” Can you unpack what this means in the context of Indonesia’s international relations?

Dr. Sharma: President Prabowo’s pragmatic approach to foreign policy signifies a shift in emphasis, not a complete overhaul of Indonesia’s long-standing principles. While Indonesia maintains its commitment to a “free and active” foreign policy—its commitment to non-alignment and self-reliant action—Prabowo’s administration prioritizes actions directly benefitting Indonesia’s domestic needs and economic self-sufficiency. This means strategically aligning with various global partners, nonetheless of their ideologies, to advance Indonesia’s national interests. It’s a sophisticated balancing act of securing mutually beneficial partnerships while upholding Indonesia’s core diplomatic values.

Interviewer: The article highlights his active engagement with China—a relationship that has, understandably, sparked some debate.How do you view this strengthened partnership in the light of Indonesia’s ongoing concerns in the South China Sea?

Dr. Sharma: The increased cooperation with China, symbolized by the significant agreements in the mineral sector, is a key aspect of Prabowo’s pragmatic strategy. While concerns remain regarding overlapping claims in the South China Sea, it’s crucial to understand that Indonesia’s engagement with China is not solely about the South China Sea—it goes beyond this area of contention. Indonesia must navigate complex geopolitical dynamics, and engaging with China strategically presents economic opportunities that are vital to national development.The clarification provided by Foreign Minister Sugiono regarding Indonesia’s commitment to UNCLOS underscores that Indonesia’s approach is to pursue dialog and cooperation while safeguarding its sovereign rights and adheres to international law. This represents a complex balancing act, not simply a concession to China.

interviewer: The article mentions Prabowo’s “Asta Cita” policy. Could you elaborate on its significance and its relationship to his foreign policy?

Dr. Sharma: “asta Cita,” or the eight priorities, is the bedrock of Prabowo Subianto’s domestic agenda.It directly informs his foreign policy approach,transforming international relations into a tool for achieving ambitious domestic goals. It underscores the idea of prioritizing Indonesian economic prosperity, social welfare, and self-sufficiency through strategic partnerships that directly support initiatives like Program makan bergizi Gratis (MBG) or initiatives focusing on infrastructure development and energy independence.While fostering healthy relationships within the BRICS group, cooperation in renewable energy technology with China and the United States, and collaborations with nations in southeast Asia and the Middle East represent the practical submission of this policy, demonstrating how international collaborations actively contribute to Indonesia’s domestic objectives.

Interviewer: One aspect seemingly contradicting Indonesia’s non-aligned stance is its inclusion in BRICS. How does this influence its foreign policy independence?

Dr. Sharma: Indonesia’s inclusion in BRICS is a testament to the pragmatic nature of Prabowo’s foreign policy. Joining BRICS isn’t about abandoning non-alignment; it’s about expanding Indonesia’s options and access to resources within a dynamic global landscape. It’s a shrewd strategic move, providing access to emerging markets and fostering economic diversification, therefore reducing dependence on traditional Western partners. It’s crucial to note that Indonesia intends to use its position within BRICS to advocate for its own priorities, shaping the association’s agenda rather than simply following its lead.

Interviewer: What are some of the key takeaways from this shift in Indonesia’s foreign policy?

dr. Sharma: Here are three key takeaways:

Domestic Priorities First: The core principle is leveraging international relations for maximum domestic benefit.

Strategic Partnerships: building mutually beneficial alliances with diverse countries regardless of ideology.

* Balance of Power: Competent engagement with various stakeholders—including the USA, BRICS and China—to avoid over-reliance and foster independent action.

Interviewer: Thank you, Dr. Sharma, for this insightful analysis. It’s clear President Prabowo Subianto’s approach represents a significant evolution in Indonesia’s foreign policy. This interview highlights the complexities and potential success of this pragmatic and domestically driven approach. We encourage our readers to share their thoughts and perspectives in the comments section below!