By: Puteri Rachmawati*
The working visit of the President of the Republic of Indonesia, Prabowo Subianto, to Saudi Arabia is an important marker of the new direction of Indonesian diplomacy which is increasingly active and strategic in the global geopolitical arena, especially in the Middle East region. In a high-level bilateral meeting with the Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia, Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS), President Prabowo succeeded in bringing Indonesia into the Supreme Coordination Council (DKT) forum, a cooperation platform previously only owned by Saudi Arabia’s elite partners such as the United States and China. Through this forum, Indonesia’s position as a middle power in Southeast Asia is increasingly recognized, not only in the economic context, but also in politics and religion in the Islamic world.
This step is part of Indonesia’s grand foreign policy strategy that prioritizes equal, mutually beneficial partnerships and is active in voicing the interests of developing countries. The signing of the Minutes of Meeting DKT by the two heads of state is not merely symbolic, but also becomes an institutional foundation that will synchronize various bilateral policies in the future. DKT will be a high cross-sector coordination forum led by the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of each country, covering cooperation in the fields of economy, defense, food security, education, to health services and the Hajj pilgrimage.
President Prabowo has demonstrated a strong commitment to concrete diplomacy through an investment agreement worth USD 27 billion or around IDR 437 trillion. The value of this cooperation covers the fields of clean energy, the petrochemical industry, aviation fuel services, and the pharmaceutical and health technology sectors. This is proof that Indonesia not only brings hope, but also offers real opportunities for mutually beneficial economic cooperation. Amidst the global dynamics full of uncertainty, this step shows that Indonesia is capable of being a balancing force, even a driving force for global solidarity based on the principles of justice and humanity.
President Prabowo’s agenda in Saudi Arabia also touches on strategic issues that are of concern to Indonesian Muslims, namely improving hajj and umrah services. The Indonesian government through the Ministry of Religious Affairs is designing the development of a hajj village in Mecca as an integrated service center for more than 220 thousand hajj pilgrims and 1.5 million Indonesian umrah pilgrims each year. This plan was welcomed by the authorities of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and received support from various national figures, including the Chancellor of the State Islamic University of Datokarama, Professor Lukman Thahir. He called President Prabowo’s initiative a constructive breakthrough that strengthens bilateral diplomacy and answers the real needs of the Indonesian people in the Holy Land.
It is undeniable that hajj diplomacy is one of the most effective instruments to strengthen Indonesia’s image and role in the Islamic world. President Prabowo understands that a strong relationship with Saudi Arabia is not only rooted in economic interests, but also in deep spiritual ties between the two nations. Therefore, providing the best service for Indonesian pilgrims is not merely a public service, but also part of a diplomatic strategy based on religious and cultural values.
Indonesia’s move to establish close coordination with Saudi Arabia is also very relevant in the geopolitical context of the Middle East which is currently experiencing serious tension. Through the DKT, Indonesia can play a role as a moderate partner capable of bridging dialogue and cooperation across regions, including in responding to the humanitarian crisis in Palestine, issues of stability in the Gulf, and climate change that affect global energy and food security. Indonesia and Saudi Arabia even agreed to increase their active roles in multilateral forums such as the G20, IMF, World Bank, OIC, and the Non-Aligned Movement in order to fight for global justice.
President Prabowo’s working visit to Saudi Arabia is also part of a series of diplomatic visits to other strategic partner countries such as Brazil and France. After Jeddah, the President is scheduled to attend the BRICS Summit in Brazil, an economic forum that brings together major developing countries, then continue his visit to France at the invitation of President Emmanuel Macron. This agenda shows President Prabowo’s consistency in expanding Indonesia’s diplomatic horizons which are no longer reactive, but proactive and structured in building global partnership axes.
More than just a bilateral visit, President Prabowo’s move to Saudi Arabia is a reflection of Indonesia’s foreign policy transformation that upholds national interests without ignoring the value of international solidarity. In the context of the Middle East, Indonesia is now not just a spectator, but has positioned itself as a key player to be reckoned with.
The statement of UIN Datokarama Rector, Professor Lukman Thahir, is an affirmation that the academic community and religious figures fully support this new direction of diplomacy. He assessed that the development of the hajj village not only touches on the service aspect, but also symbolizes the presence of the state in meeting the needs of its citizens abroad, while strengthening strategic relations with key partners in the Islamic world.
President Prabowo’s visit to Saudi Arabia has created a new milestone that will bring Indonesia closer to its ideals of becoming a sovereign, independent nation that plays an active role in maintaining world peace and stability. Through intelligent, inclusive, and results-oriented diplomacy, Indonesia is on the path to more meaningful global leadership.
*The author is a foreign policy analyst
