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Why Asian-African solidarity goes only so far
Every year, during the anniversary of the Asian-African Conference (AAC), there are calls for more South-South cooperation and solidarity
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very year, during the anniversary of the Asian-African Conference (AAC), there are calls for more South-South cooperation and solidarity.
Every year, there are calls for more trade between Asian and African countries and, every year, such aspirations don't get very far.
This year is no exception. During the 60th anniversary commemoration of the AAC, President Joko 'Jokowi' Widodo called for the revival of cooperation between Asian and African nations, within the framework of the New Asian-African Strategic Partnership (NAASP), which marked the 10th anniversary. Support for Palestinian independence, regarded as one of colonialism's last remnants, was also loudly voiced. And this year, Indonesia will not do much to follow through on this.
This is not because Indonesia does not believe in South-South cooperation and solidarity. But not all noble goals have a place in Indonesia's foreign policy.
Geography, not level of development or solidarity, defines foreign policy. As such, Indonesia's relations with countries in Southeast Asia and Asia-Pacific as a whole will continue to matter more than its relations with fellow developing countries.
This is best articulated in the concentric circles formula for Indonesia's foreign policy. As explained by Dewi Fortuna Anwar, the formula bases the importance of countries within the country's foreign policy on their geographical proximity. Countries with similar geographical importance to the country are grouped into the same concentric circle. In turn, each concentric circle is put into hierarchical order.
The first concentric circle is Southeast Asia, as the home region of Indonesia, consisting of the 10 countries of ASEAN. The second is the South Pacific, namely Papua New Guinea, Timor Leste, Australia and New Zealand. The third is East Asia, consisting of China, Japan, South Korea and North Korea.
Within this framework, Indonesia's other relationships are also recognized. Indonesia's bilateral relationships with the United States and European countries should be nurtured due to their importance in the global order.
So should legacy and multilateral relationships such as the AAC, the Organization of the Islamic Conference, Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, the Group of Twenty, etc.
A case might be made that East Asia deserves the second circle rather than West Pacific. Yet, the insight from the framework holds: Geographical proximity must be the cornerstone of Indonesia's foreign policy.
This is not to say the goals of the AAC and Indonesia's national interests are apart. As part of its legacy relationships, Indonesia should ensure the AAC and its goals are achieved.
As shown by President Jokowi's speech, it can be a useful forum to shore up the support of developing countries to collectively advocate for the reform of the global economic order.
But it should be no wonder that Indonesia does not spend as much time and energy on the AAC as it does on ASEAN. There might be individual initiatives here and there, but necessity will correct such deviations. To illustrate the point, one should compare the NAASP and the ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA).
Even though the AAC took place in 1955, it was only in 2005 that the NAASP was founded, a gap of 50 years. In contrast, ASEAN was founded in 1967, yet AFTA was already signed in 1992, a gap of 25 years.
Also bear in mind the deeper integration efforts with the arrival of the ASEAN Economic Community this year. It is clear where the country's priorities lie.
It is more important for Indonesia that the sea-lanes of communication in the South China Sea remain open than assisting the Palestinians to gain independence. It is more important for the country that tension in the East China Sea is subdued than ensuring Boko Haram is defeated.
It is more important for the country that the Chinese economy keeps growing than helping the poor in Zimbabwe.
The AAC does not go very far because in international politics, neither does solidarity.
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The writer is a researcher at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies in Jakarta.
