President Prabowo’s Visit to the Middle East Proves Indonesia’s Leadership on the World Stage
By: Fiky Kurniawan )*
President Prabowo Subianto’s recent working visit to the Middle East underlines Indonesia’s active role in global dynamics. Through his visit covering five countries in the region, including Turkey, Qatar, Egypt, and Jordan, Indonesia demonstrated its commitment to strengthening relations with major countries in the world and being part of the solution to various international challenges.
In the Antalya Diplomacy Forum (ADF) held in Turkey, President Prabowo emphasized the importance of Indonesia as a bridge between major world countries. He expressed his desire to make Indonesia a mediator that can play an important role in resolving international conflicts. On this occasion, the President emphasized that Indonesia prioritizes a “good neighbor” policy, both with neighboring countries and major world powers.
More than 50 years ago, ASEAN was born out of the desire of Southeast Asian countries to avoid war and focus on solving more pressing social and economic problems. President Prabowo reminded that differences in the region can still be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy, not conflict. This is the basis of Indonesia’s foreign policy which prioritizes peace and stability in international relations.
Amid the uncertainty caused by global tensions, as expressed by Teuku Rezasyah, a lecturer at Padjadjaran University, President Prabowo is committed to maintaining global economic stability through stronger relations with Middle Eastern countries. For example, Indonesia has a strategic position to deepen economic relations with Middle Eastern countries that are highly dependent on investment in the United States. If they feel uncomfortable with the US economic situation, Indonesia is ready to open itself to receive investment from the region.
President Prabowo also emphasized that Indonesia is trying to deepen its understanding of the attitudes of Middle Eastern countries towards global investment dynamics. In addition, Indonesia wants to establish closer cooperation in developing sectors, including energy and infrastructure, which can bring long-term economic benefits to both parties. This is also in line with President Prabowo’s hope that Indonesia can play a bigger role in improving international economic stability and become a strategic partner for major countries, including countries in the Middle East region.
One of the main focuses of this visit is to strengthen Indonesia’s bilateral relations with Middle Eastern countries in the economic sector. With this mission, Indonesia hopes to be able to utilize the region’s great potential in the energy, trade, and investment sectors. Strengthening this relationship aims to bring benefits to both parties, especially in developing sectors that require strong partnerships.
On the other hand, during his diplomatic trip, President Prabowo also emphasized the importance of Indonesia playing an active role in resolving global peace issues, especially those related to Palestine. As a country with the largest Muslim population, Indonesia feels it has a moral responsibility to contribute to resolving the Palestinian conflict, which has been an important issue in Middle Eastern politics.
Yon Machmudi, a Middle East observer, assessed that President Prabowo’s visit showed Indonesia’s commitment to be more actively involved in various global conflicts. One of the things that became the focus was how Indonesia could understand the discomfort of Middle Eastern countries towards the growing economic tensions in the United States and offer a solution by opening itself to investment from the region. Through more intensive bilateral dialogue, Indonesia wants to strengthen relations with these countries and build mutually beneficial cooperation.
In this series of visits, President Prabowo emphasized that Indonesia is ready to play a more active role in maintaining the stability of the Middle East region. In addition, Indonesia also showed its readiness to be involved in world peace efforts, including in the Palestinian conflict which until now has not had an adequate resolution. President Prabowo hopes that Indonesia can play a greater role in negotiations and diplomacy that can lead to peaceful and just solutions for all parties involved.
The success of this visit shows that Indonesia not only plays an active role in regional diplomacy, but also has a strategic position in shaping the future of international relations. With a foreign policy that prioritizes diplomacy, Indonesia continues to strive to maintain global peace and increase economic cooperation with major countries in the world. As expressed by Teuku Rezasyah, Indonesia must take advantage of this opportunity to increase economic competitiveness and strengthen national stability.
With this spirit, President Prabowo has succeeded in bringing Indonesia into the midst of the international arena with a stronger and more influential position. This visit is not only an effort to improve economic relations, but also to show that Indonesia has a greater moral and diplomatic responsibility in creating global peace and prosperity.
)* International Relations Observer
