INTERVIEW OF AMBASSADOR OF THE REPUBLIC OF INDONESIA

On the eve of Indonesia’s Independence Day on 17^th August, the editor of The News Analytics Journal (TNJ), Ms Sandhya Srivastava, interacted with H.E. Ms. Ina Hagniningtyas Krisnamurthi, Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia to India.

– Published in The News Analytics Journal August 2024 Edition

TNJ: India and Indonesia celebrate their independence in August (15^th & 17^th). This year we also commemorate the 75th anniversary of our diplomatic relations. Could you elaborate on the historical ties and shared experiences that unite our nations?

H.E. Ms. Ina Hagniningtyas Krisnamurthi: The historical ties between India and Indonesia date back over two millennia, with the ancient maritime trade routes playing a crucial role in connecting our civilizations. Indian traders and monks brought Hinduism and Buddhism to Indonesia, which left a significant mark on Indonesian culture, architecture, and traditions. Strong linkages may be found in some examples, including temple architecture in Indonesia, such as Prambanan and Borobudur, which reflect profound Indian influence.

The shared history of colonialism also brought our two nations very close to each other. History demonstrates that in the mid-1940s and 1950s, our Forefathers were mutually supportive in their efforts to create a world free of colonialism and imperialism. Even before India attained Independence in 1947, India had supported Indonesia’s struggle for independence during 1945-1949.… which Indonesian people would never forget.

India played a significant role in the efforts to pressure the Dutch to withdraw themselves from their pursuit of restoring empire in Indonesia… Similarly, Indonesia’s first President showed its support towards India by attending India’s first Republic Day in 1950 as a Chief Guest.

TNJ:  India and Indonesia enjoy a strong strategic partnership that was elevated to a New Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2018. What are your thoughts on the significance of this partnership in today’s global scenario, and what are its key pillars?

H.E. Ms. Ina Hagniningtyas Krisnamurthi: This Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) is not only a reflection of our deep-rooted historical ties but also a testament to our commitment to addressing contemporary global challenges together.

In the context of geography, India and Indonesia are positioned at critical crossroads in the Indo-Pacific. The southernmost point of India’s Andaman and Nicobar Islands, located at the geostrategic juncture between South Asia and Southeast Asia lies just 90 nautical miles from Indonesia.

This crucial intersection is also home to vital Sea Lines of Communication (SLOC) and maritime choke points that serve as the economic lifeline of the region. Indonesia and India therefore can be considered as the de facto gatekeepers of the region, which is a transit point for an estimated 60 percent of global maritime trade. Both countries play a crucial role in promoting regional stability, peace, and security. As such, it is important for both countries to promote cooperation and collaboration in areas that would strengthen peace and prosperity in the region, i.e. setting a bilateral trade target of USD 50 billion in 2025, and enhancing cooperation in the defence sector through, among others, Defence Cooperation Agreement (DCA), bilateral naval exercise and coordinated patrol.

TNJ:   India and Indonesia have shared two millennia of close cultural and commercial contacts. What steps can we take to enhance economic and cultural exchange programs to further deepen India-Indonesia relations?

H.E. Ms. Ina Hagniningtyas Krisnamurthi: In the economic sphere, both countries should work towards the reduction of tariffs reduction, eliminate trade barriers, and promote a better and freer flow of goods and services. The trade between our countries currently is within the framework of the ASEAN- ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement (AITIGA). As you may know, to further enhance and deepen the agreement, India and ASEAN have started the discussion to review the FTA in May 2023.

Through either a bilateral framework or ASEAN, people-to-people contact has been increased and strengthened throughout the year. In this regard, ICCR scholarship from India, Dharmasiswa scholarship from Indonesia are only two important examples from each side. Additionally, with the establishment of direct flights between the two countries, mutual visits of scholars, researchers, and faculty members are increasingly flourishing.

Celebrating 75 years anniversary of the bilateral relations, Indonesia Missions in India, the Embassy in New Delhi, and the Consulate General in Mumbai have been championing visits of artists as well, in particular dance and music performances, as well as showcasing Indonesian movies, in our effort to bridge stronger understanding between our cultures. 

TNJ:  Indonesia has become India’s second-largest trading partner in the ASEAN region. Bilateral trade has grown from USD 4.3 billion in 2005-06 to USD 38.84 billion in 2022-23. How it can be taken forward and what targets are being set for the next five years, if any?

H.E. Ms. Ina Hagniningtyas Krisnamurthi: India and Indonesia experience growth in bilateral trade, from USD 4.3 billion in 2005-06 to USD 38.84 billion in 2022-23, which highlights the robust economic partnership between our nations.

To overcome challenges resulted from global economy uncertainty, it is very important for both countries to work together for better trade facilitation, maximum reduce in technical barriers to trade, simplify customs procedures, so as to improve the environment for trade.

TNJ:  The Indian government has demonstrated its intention to further deepen engagement with East Asia by renaming the policy to “Act East”. How is India’s “Act East” policy converging with Indonesia’s own regional and world view?

H.E. Ms. Ina Hagniningtyas Krisnamurthi: Both India and Indonesia are a strong advocate for a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific region. Our nations share commitments to maintaining peace, stability, and security in the region, emphasizing respect for international law, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.

As ASEAN is a key component of Indonesia’s foreign policy, it is important to note that India’s Act East Policy together with India’s Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI) support each other with ASEAN’s Outlook on Indo-Pacific. Both India and Indonesia actively participate in regional forums such as the East Asia Summit (EAS), the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), and the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus). These platforms facilitate dialogue and cooperation on key regional issues.

TNJ:  India and Indonesia share a maritime boundary that was established in 1974 through a bilateral agreement and extended in 1977 into the Andaman Sea. Given our strategic location in the Indian Ocean, how can India and Indonesia collaborate more effectively on maritime security and trade issues?

H.E. Ms. Ina Hagniningtyas Krisnamurthi: The maritime cooperation between Indonesia and India is significant in our bilateral relationship, reflecting our shared commitment to ensuring a stable, secure, and prosperous Indo-Pacific region. As close neighbours and given our strategic locations as major maritime nations, our collaboration in this domain is both natural and essential.

Both Countries have fostered Joint Naval Exercises intensively. Regular joint naval exercises such as ‘Samudra Shakti’, and the IND-INDO CORPAT (Coordinated Patrols), enhance interoperability, build mutual trust, and improve our capacity to address common maritime challenges.

We also have established cooperation in disaster management areas, while collaborating in multilateral platforms ASEAN and its related forums, Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), and G20 to address common challenges and promote regional peace and stability.

TNJ:  Although both India and Indonesia share a friendly relationship, there are challenges like trade imbalance, limited connectivity, regulatory hurdles, etc. What in your view are pressing issues between the two nations and what is the roadmap to overcome them?

H.E. Ms. Ina Hagniningtyas Krisnamurthi: India is Indonesia’s 4th largest trading partner, while Indonesia is India’s 8th largest trading partner. Our bilateral trade reached more than US$30 billion in 2023. However, due to global challenges, our trade is projected to decrease slightly by 8.2% in the first quarter of 2024, amounting to US$7.1 billion.

Over the past two decades, Indonesia’s investment in India has grown to US$650.8 million, while Indian investment in Indonesia has reached US$1.5 billion.

In the tourism sector, more than half a million Indian visitors traveled to Indonesia in 2023. We have finally established direct flights since 2023 from Delhi to Denpasar, Mumbai to Jakarta, and Chennai to Medan, and more direct flights are anticipated.

While I am pleased to see a steady increase in trade and economic relations between Indonesia and India, there is always room for improvement. Therefore, India and Indonesia should focus more on tapping on potentials, in particular areas related to current and future issues, such as space economy, artificial intelligence, agriculture-related research and development, etc. Additionally, to find mutually beneficial solutions, both countries need to intensify dialogue and bridge stronger understanding on each other policies.

TNJ:  Both nations also confront similar non-traditional security threats such as terrorism, piracy, cybersecurity, and climate change. How the two nations are cooperating in these areas?

H.E. Ms. Ina Hagniningtyas Krisnamurthi: India and Indonesia have been conducting coordinated maritime patrols in critical sea lanes to deter piracy and ensure the safety of commercial shipping while enhancing maritime security and protecting vital trade routes.

As we are a comprehensive strategic partner, we have established many areas of cooperation in our effort to achieve peace and security, among others in the framework of joint working groups on counter-terrorism and on combatting illicit trafficking of drugs. Additionally, we also establish a regular dialogue at the NSA level to discuss wide-ranging security issues of common concern.

In a wider sphere, both countries also collaborate in regional forums like the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) and the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) to address non-traditional security challenges collectively.

TNJ:  As leading democracies in Southeast Asia, how can India and Indonesia collaborate to tackle regional challenges and promote stability in the Indo-Pacific?

H.E. Ms. Ina Hagniningtyas Krisnamurthi: The deepening of strategic partnership between India and Indonesia is significant as both play a crucial role in shaping a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific. India and Indonesia’s cooperation would serve as a stabilizing force, promoting democratic values, economic prosperity, and regional security. As natural partners with shared interests, strengthening India-Indonesia ties is essential for navigating the complex geopolitical landscape of the Indo-Pacific and ensuring that the region remains stable, peaceful, and prosperous.

One significant political commitment in this regard is when at the 20^th ASEAN-India Summit in Jakarta in 2023, Prime Minister Narendra Modi reaffirmed ASEAN centrality in the Indo-Pacific and highlighted the synergies between India’s Indo-Pacific Ocean’s Initiative (IPOI) and ASEAN’s Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP).

TNJ:  On the occasion of our Independence Day, what message would you like to convey to the people of India, celebrating the strong bonds between the two nations?

H.E. Ms. Ina Hagniningtyas Krisnamurthi: On behalf of the Government of Indonesia, I extend my warmest congratulations to the people of India on the joyous occasion of their 77th Independence Day. This historic day not only marks India’s freedom from colonial rule but also celebrates the enduring spirit, resilience, and achievements of India as a nation. This year also holds special significance as we celebrate the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between our two great nations.

India and Indonesia share a deep-rooted friendship that spans millennia, enriched by cultural exchanges, ancient maritime links, and shared values. As we commemorate 75 years of diplomatic relations between our two great nations, I am reminded of the strong bonds that unite us – our shared history and commitment toward democracy, pluralism, and progress. From the ancient exchanges that brought Hindu and Buddhist influences to our shores, to our joint struggle against colonialism, and now as strategic partners in the Indo-Pacific, our relationship continues to grow stronger with each passing year.

As we commemorate 75 years of formal diplomatic ties, we celebrate the remarkable strides we have made together. Our economic partnership has flourished, with bilateral trade reaching new heights of nearly US$ 39 billion last year and investments expanding across a wide range of sectors. Our cooperation in maritime security, defence, and counterterrorism has enhanced regional stability. The vibrant exchanges in education, culture, tourism, and the opening of direct flights have deepened the connections between our people.

On this momentous day, I reaffirm Indonesia’s commitment to further strengthening our bilateral ties through many collaborations. We look forward to expanding our strategic and economic partnership, deepening our cultural connections, and working together to address global challenges.

Selamat Hari Kemerdekaan, Happy Independence Day to the Republic of India! Jai Hind!