Indonesia’s Diplomacy, Consistent and Adaptive

DOK. KEMLU RI

Retno LP Marsudi

Indonesia exists not in a vacuum but instead in a fast-moving and dynamic world. So it is with diplomacy.

Foreign Minister Retno LP Marsudi told Kompas on Thursday (13/8/2020) about Indonesia’s strengths, capitals and bases for diplomacy that made the country agile in making it through global dynamics.

The following is an excerpt from the interview.

Since the independence era until today, what have been Indonesia’s diplomatic excellences?

Since the start of the independence years until today, two constants have characterized Indonesian diplomats. First is persistence. The situation has surely changed, but diplomats’ determination while in duty and facing challenges has remained the same, from time to time.

In a lockdown where our diplomats should race against time, Alhamdulillah [praise God] for our diplomats’ persistence, we eventually evacuated all Indonesians safely.

Among the examples of this persistence is when we attempted an evacuation of Indonesians from conflict zones (Yemen) or from the Covid-19-affected region of Wuhan. We evacuated them from the Hubei Province, where our citizens were in nine different locations, including Wuhan. In a lockdown where our diplomats should race against time, Alhamdulillah [praise God] for our diplomats’ persistence, we eventually evacuated all Indonesians safely.

Also read: Pandemic a Test Case for Diplomacy

Second is adaptability. This is also very important. As diplomats work in a dynamic and constantly changing world, if we cannot adapt, we will be irrelevant.

Adaptability

The foreign minister then cited Indonesian diplomats’ speediness in learning and absorbing information on epidemiology, vaccine and medicines related to Covid-19. They absorb generic knowledge on health to support diplomacy in healthcare and build communication and cooperation with partner countries.

The ability to negotiate outside main diplomatic issues, such as border and international agreement matters, was what Retno said reflected Indonesian diplomats’ adaptability amid global dynamics and the need to respond to new challenges.

KOMPAS/WAWAN H PRABOWO

Retno Marsudi

Consequently, Indonesia has obtained donations of personal protective equipment (PPE) and is trusted to participate in developing a vaccine.

The ability to maintain relations has also been a capital to smoothen diplomacy. Regarding the pandemic, Retno has intensively built communication with World Health Organization (WHO) director general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, with whom she was close when he was the Ethiopian Foreign Minister.

Regarding the efforts of our diplomats, what has helped Indonesia gain trust from partner countries?

As a career diplomat for 34 years, I see that, when Indonesia proposes something, it is easier for other countries to accept because Indonesia does not offend. Indonesia always strives to be a bridge and be a part of solution. Indonesia has a good diplomacy track record, which cannot be achieved overnight.

This is what has helped Indonesia gain global trust. The world trusts us not because we are wealthy or have extraordinary weapons but because, in implementing our foreign politics, Indonesia has integrity. We have continuously maintained this integrity and this has not been easy.

How to maintain this consistency and integrity amid global challenges, such as the Palestine issue or regarding the Sino-American relation?

In principle issues, we are firm and we do not negotiate. They understand this deeply. I have a very good relationship with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and I have also established good communication with US Foreign Minister Mike Pompeo. When we discuss one issue that highly principle for Indonesia, they are never surprised when we say, forgive me but we cannot accept that because this is principle and, even in the Palestine issue, it is a mandate of our constitution.

Indonesia’s consistency to the free and active principles while still maintaining our friendliness and openness, has made partner countries respect Indonesia’s position.

I was once in a situation where we could not accept a request to form an alliance that ran against our free-and-active foreign politics, which does not allow us to bind ourselves to an alliance. What I explained was that, by not joining the alliance, it did not mean that we were enemies. We can establish cooperation with the alliance without having to bind ourselves to it. Indonesia’s consistency to the free and active principles while still maintaining our friendliness and openness, has made partner countries respect Indonesia’s position. This leads to trust toward Indonesia.

Furthermore, Indonesia does not used offensive words. [The analogy is] we get fish without muddying the water. Using the wrong approach, we may not get the fish and only muddy the water.

Global prosperity

Retno also reaffirmed that Indonesia’s diplomacy was not only for national interest but also for global prosperity. When discussing the crisis created by Covid-19 in a UN session in Geneva, Swiss, Indonesia continuously pushes for equitable access to vaccines.

What we are thinking right now is not only Indonesia’s interests but also those of, especially, the least-developed countries. If patents are used in full, I am worried of how it will affect the price. Price will affect the ability to access vaccines. Therefore, I always call for equitable access to vaccines.

We speak not only for Indonesia’s national interests, but we also bring up voices of other developing countries. This was our pledge when we campaign for UN Security Council [membership] and we are keeping that promise.

KOMPAS/DEONISIA ARLINTA

Retno LP Marsudi

Global respect for a country is also linked to the country’s contribution to global peace, stability, prosperity and welfare. Other than to fulfill national interests, we also commit to our diplomatic efforts to contribute to global interests.

On the other hand, Retno acknowledged that this achievement was inseparable from the total work of our diplomats. She said that they have strong commitment to their duties, are quick in absorbing new information, have self-confidence and integrity and can move fast. Therefore, she gave a message to all

diplomats to continue working professionally and maintain their fighting spirit in order to fulfill national interests and maintain Indonesia’s position as part of global solutions.