FM SUGIONO: FRIENDSHIP OVER ALLIANCES IN INDONESIA’S FOREIGN POLICY

By Mohd Iswandi Kasan Anuar

JAKARTA, Nov 30 (Bernama) -- Indonesia’s Foreign Minister Sugiono reaffirmed the nation’s commitment to a non-aligned foreign policy, emphasising the importance of maintaining friendly relations with all nations while avoiding military alliances.

In his keynote address at the Conference on Indonesian Foreign Policy (CIFP), he described this strategy as vital for fostering mutual respect and cooperation.

“We remain non-aligned, meaning we will not join any military pact or bloc. The interest of the people of Indonesia is to be friends with everyone and enemies to none,” Sugiono said.

He highlighted Indonesia’s “independent and active” foreign policy approach, which focuses on building partnerships without compromising sovereignty.

Sugiono also pointed to Indonesia’s participation in multilateral organisations, including BRICS, the OECD and ASEAN, as key to asserting the country’s global influence and advancing peace.

He tied Indonesia’s diplomatic strength to its domestic progress, stressing the importance of poverty alleviation, food and energy self-sufficiency, and investments in education and nutrition.

“A country earns respect through its prosperity and strong defence,” Sugiono said, arguing that leveraging Indonesia’s resources to benefit its citizens would elevate its standing globally.

He also called for global cooperation to address shared challenges, stating that “only through cooperation can we reduce these tensions and contribute to global peace and security”.

This year’s CIFP also marks the 10th anniversary of the Foreign Policy Community of Indonesia (FPCI), celebrated under the theme “A Decade of Citizen Diplomacy”.

-- BERNAMA