Bandung. Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi said Monday that Indonesia had been pursuing non-transactional diplomacy, indirectly taking a jab at candidate Anies Baswedan’s recent criticism of the country’s approach to international relations.

Speaking during an event in Bandung, Retno gave a recap of Indonesia’s foreign policies over the past 10 years of Jokowi’s administration. Indonesia has been sticking to its so-called “free and active” policy -- meaning that it does not align with any major powers. This “free and active” policy focuses on defending Indonesia’s national interests while contributing to world peace as mandated by the constitution.

“Indonesia’s diplomacy is well-measured, well-calculated, action-oriented, result-oriented. But at the same time, it upholds unwavering values and principles,” Retno said when giving her annual press statement in the West Java capital.

“Our foreign policy is not transactional,” Retno said.

The diplomat then talked at length about what Indonesia had achieved on the global stage over the past decade of Jokowi’s presidency, including how Jakarta led the forum of the 20 wealthiest nations G20. Other key milestones also include how Indonesia chaired the ASEAN regional grouping. Retno claimed that Indonesia’s diplomacy had gained international recognition. 

As a case in point, the Lowy Institute Asia Power Index revealed Indonesia boasts growing diplomatic influence over the past years. The index shows that Indonesia’s diplomatic influence came in 10th place as of 2020. The country’s diplomatic influence then climbed up to 8th place in 2021, and 7th place last year. Indonesia also has the largest diplomatic influence compared to other ASEAN countries, according to the index.

Policy institute Chatham House called Indonesia an “important balancing force in Asia”. Retno quoted an article by the Straits Times that recognized Indonesia’s ASEAN chairmanship, as Jakarta helped prevent the bloc from “balkanizing” or breaking up into smaller and hostile units.

“This shows how Indonesia is a key player in both regional and global settings. We are not merely a spectator,” Retno said.

Although Retno did not mention Anies by name, the latter’s comments on Indonesia’s foreign policy have been an issue as of late. At the beginning of his campaign, Anies said Indonesia had been pursuing what he called a transactional, business-oriented foreign policy. If elected, Anies wants to embrace a value-led foreign policy. An example of this value is protecting human lives. In other words, Indonesia should be able to call out another country’s aggression despite having close business ties with the said economy.

Retno’s annual press statement took place a day after the third presidential debate. Anies, along with rivals Prabowo Subianto and Ganjar Pranowo, took the stage in a debate that centered on international relations and defense on Sunday. Anies also intends to put Indonesia in the driver’s seat in the global forums should he win the election.

“We will restore Indonesia’s position as the leading actor in the global constellation. So Indonesia is not just a spectator, but it also determines the direction of peace and prosperity for all countries, be it at the global or regional level,” Anies said at the debate in Jakarta over the weekend.

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