President Prabowo’s Visit to the Middle East Strengthens Indonesia’s Strategic Role in the International World
By: Nina Mayang Sari)*
President Prabowo Subianto’s arrival in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is the first chapter in a series of important diplomatic visits to the Middle East region, which is full of strategic interests. This visit is not just an ordinary state agenda, but reflects a shift in the orientation of Indonesian diplomacy towards a more active, open, and influential approach in facing global dynamics. This visit marks Prabowo’s concrete steps in strengthening Indonesia’s position on the international stage through careful and calculated cross-regional diplomacy.
In Abu Dhabi, Prabowo was welcomed with great honor by the President of the UAE, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan (MBZ), in a warm and friendly meeting at the Qasr Al Shatie Palace. This moment reflects not only the close bilateral relations between Indonesia and the UAE, but also the recognition of Indonesia’s strategic position on the global map. Through intensive discussions on world geopolitical and geoeconomic issues, the two leaders demonstrated their commitment to being part of the solution to increasingly complex international challenges.
The Middle East region is a region with a very vital geopolitical position. As the world’s energy center, this region also plays a major role in global political stability and is an important axis in economic transformation towards post-oil diversification. In this context, Indonesia has a great opportunity to expand its influence through economic, defense, education, and cultural partnerships. Prabowo’s visit is an entry point for strengthening Indonesia’s position as an equal partner that not only prioritizes economic cooperation, but also political solidarity and contributions to regional peace.
The achievement of eight memorandums of understanding (MoU) and letters of interest (LoI) between Indonesia and the UAE in various sectors shows that the diplomacy built by Prabowo does not stop at mere symbolism. These concrete results show that the active and personal approach taken is able to accelerate the agreement of cooperation that benefits both countries. This cooperation is a reflection of Indonesia’s economic diplomacy which now places the Middle East as a main partner, on par with other major countries in Asia, Europe, and America.
Not only in the UAE, Prabowo’s diplomatic safari to other Middle Eastern countries such as Turkey, Egypt, Qatar, and Jordan strengthens Indonesia’s image as a regional power with global appeal. Consultations with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Turkey, President Abdul Fattah as-Sisi in Egypt, Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani in Qatar, and King Abdullah II in Jordan reflect a multilateral approach designed to build political trust across the region.
Prabowo’s presence at important forums and bilateral meetings also reflects the transformation of Indonesian diplomacy towards a more personal and effective leader-to-leader diplomacy. This approach strengthens Indonesia’s negotiating position on various global issues, from regional conflicts to multilateral cooperation in the fields of security and economy.
In his meeting with Middle Eastern leaders, Prabowo said that Indonesia is present with a sincere spirit as a friend who wants to strengthen relations and build concrete cooperation. He emphasized the importance of establishing partnerships that bring direct benefits to the people of Indonesia and partner countries, while also contributing to the stability of the region more broadly.
It is important to note that President Prabowo’s departure to the Middle East was officially released by Vice President Gibran Rakabuming and a number of important figures in the country, such as the Deputy Speaker of the DPR, the Minister of State Secretary, the TNI Commander, and the Chief of Police. This shows the unity of the Indonesian government’s attitude in implementing an active and productive foreign policy. This unity is a strength in itself in maintaining domestic stability, which in turn strengthens Indonesia’s bargaining power in the international arena.
In the context of the Southeast Asian region, Prabowo’s move can be interpreted as an effort to reposition Indonesia as a major ASEAN power capable of establishing broader cooperation with the Middle East region. When global issues such as climate change, energy security, geopolitical conflicts, and digital transformation become the main agenda of various countries, Indonesia emerges as a strategic partner that provides solutions and is able to bridge global interests with regional wisdom.
President Prabowo Subianto’s visit to the United Arab Emirates and other Middle Eastern countries is a manifestation of the vision of active diplomacy that is not only oriented towards economic benefits, but also expanding Indonesia’s strategic network globally. This is the beginning of a bold and progressive foreign policy, which makes Indonesia appear more confident as a friendly and respected big country on the world stage.
This visit confirms that under Prabowo’s leadership, Indonesia is no longer merely a spectator in international dynamics, but has become an important player that helps determine the future direction of the world, through visionary, realistic, and results-oriented diplomacy.
)* The author is a Foreign Policy Observer and Analyst
