By: Dhita Karuniawati )*
President Prabowo Subianto’s administration places economic diplomacy as one of the main pillars of foreign policy. Amidst the ever-changing global dynamics, this step shows Indonesia’s commitment to strengthening its position as a regional economic power and strategic partner for various countries. Focusing on investment, trade, and technology cooperation is a long-term strategy to accelerate national economic transformation.
In this framework, various overseas visits made by President Prabowo have high strategic value. In addition to strengthening bilateral relations, these visits are also aimed at attracting direct investment, opening market access for national products, and building technology partnerships that are beneficial for domestic industrial development.
In the early months of his administration, President Prabowo visited a number of major countries such as China, the United States, Japan, and the United Arab Emirates. These countries are not only Indonesia’s main trading partners, but also major investors who contribute to infrastructure development, manufacturing industry, and green technology in the country.
In the near future, President Prabowo Subianto plans to visit Russia on June 18–20, 2025. This is considered a momentum to attract investment and strategic cooperation in the fields of trade and technology.
Cabinet Secretary (Seskab), Teddy Indra Wijaya, said that before leaving for Russia, President Prabowo will first visit Singapore to meet with the Prime Minister of Singapore, His Excellency Lawrence Wong and attend the Singapore-Indonesia Leaders’ Retreat on June 16, 2025.
After completing the agenda in Singapore, President Prabowo will continue his journey to Russia, to fulfill a direct invitation from the President of Russia, Vladimir Putin. President Prabowo is scheduled to be officially received at a state welcoming ceremony and hold a bilateral meeting with President Putin.
President Prabowo will attend the state ceremony and hold a bilateral meeting with President Putin on June 19, 2025, according to the official invitation from the Russian government. Not only that, on June 20, 2025, President Prabowo is also scheduled to attend as a keynote speaker at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) 2025, a prestigious global economic forum that brings together world leaders, business people, and economic experts.
Cabinet Secretary Teddy said that this state visit is a very strategic visit to strengthen comprehensive cooperation and partnership between Indonesia and Russia. This shows that Indonesia as a large country is increasingly respected in the eyes of the world, especially amidst the increasing global challenges.
Meanwhile, Member of Commission VI of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Ahmad Labib said that one of the main priorities is the completion of the Free Trade Agreement between Indonesia and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU). An economic bloc consisting of Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Armenia, and Kyrgyzstan. This must be utilized optimally to accelerate strategic cooperation between Indonesia and the Russian Federation, especially in the fields of trade, investment, and technology.
The visit was made at the special invitation of Russian President Vladimir Putin in order to attend the Saint Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) and hold a high-level bilateral meeting.
According to Labib, this trade agreement is very strategic. Not only does it open wider market access for Indonesia’s leading export products, but it also becomes a gateway for investment flows and cross-country industrial collaboration.
Labib said that economic partnerships with Russia and EAEU countries are in line with the direction of Indonesia’s market diversification, which is expanding its global trading partner network beyond traditional markets, without abandoning existing relationships with other major countries.
In 2025, Indonesia and Russia will celebrate 75 years of diplomatic relations. For more than seven decades, the two countries have collaborated in various strategic sectors. In the upcoming bilateral meeting, the Indonesian government is expected to encourage the acceleration of the implementation of concrete cooperation in the fields of energy, infrastructure, agriculture, defense, and industrial digitalization.
Labib said that Indonesia views Russia as a potential partner in supporting national development. Direct investment and technology transfer from Russia could be a lever for growth in priority sectors.
In addition to the free trade agreement (FTA), several strategic investment projects being explored include the construction of oil refineries, the development of nuclear power plants, and industrial cooperationtri defense.
Labib emphasized the importance of building long-term partnerships that are mutually beneficial and contribute to national economic resilience. With FTA and strategic cooperation, the target of doubling the volume of Indonesia-Russia trade in the next five years is not impossible.
President Prabowo Subianto’s visit abroad is not only a symbolic step as a new leader, but also part of a grand strategy to encourage national economic transformation through international cooperation. Investment and trade are the two main pillars carried out in Prabowo’s era of foreign diplomacy.
With a commitment to reform, policy sustainability, and the preparation of economic strategies that are adaptive to global dynamics, these visits are expected to pave the way for Indonesia to become a strong and competitive economic power on the world stage.
*) The author is a Contributor to the Indonesian Strategic Information Study Institute
