Letter: Asian axis

In response to Rizal Sukma’s article on Indonesia’s global role (the Post, March 10), I think his assessment of Indonesia’s potential and limitations at this stage is rational and valid. Diplomacy is an extension of a nation’s domestic policy and strength. Indonesia should first put its house in order before it can play a greater role regionally and globally.

How a nation performs in the geopolitical arena is determined by how much economic, political, military and cultural influence it can exert. Even at a regional level, Indonesia is still far from being a dominant power. Its competitiveness in all areas is still weak. However, Indonesia can exert diplomatic influence by upholding and expanding its basic foreign policy based on active, non-aligned and independent policy.

This policy is more relevant and significant today especially as world power is shifting from the Atlantic to the Pacific. The Era of Pax Sinica is also gradually emerging replacing the Era of Pax Americana.

Indonesia has to make a choice between associating with the Pax Sinica and continuing to support the declining Pax Americana. Together with China and India, Indonesia can form a powerful triangular Asian axis and usher in a golden era for itself in the 21st century. This will be a dramatic revolutionary idea and it is up to the Indonesian government and people whether they are ready to seize this opportunity. Daud Hermawan Taiwan