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Waves of influence: Indonesia’s growing diplomatic power
Indonesia's diplomatic clout has been growing over the last decade, as indicated by the latest Lowy's Asia Power Index, and it is now poised to take a greater role in shaping both regional and international affairs toward peace, stability and prosperity.
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The floor is hers: Foreign Minister Retno LP Marsudi addresses the 79th United Nations General Assembly at the UN headquarters in New York, United States, on Sept. 28, 2024. (Reuters/Eduardo Munoz)
It was during a lunch to bid farewell to one of our colleagues that we received a text about the release of the latest Asia Power Index (API) by Lowy Institute, a Sydney-based think tank. What had started out as a casual conversation evolved into a deep and contemplative discussion about the ever-changing balance of power in Asia, and our nation’s role within it.
As we reflected on the past decade, it was clear to everyone at the table that our country has been steadily building a formidable diplomatic presence. Its efforts extend beyond merely advocating national interests; it is also taking on the responsibility of shaping regional and international affairs.
In a region dominated by the entrenched competition between major powers, Indonesia has managed to maintain a delicate balance, skillfully navigating between these global powers while carving out its own space.
This wasn’t just our subjective view as members of the Indonesian diplomatic corps; it was also confirmed by the latest Lowy’s API, which measures resources and influence to rank the relative power of 27 countries through eight metrics. The data echoed what we had seen firsthand as diplomats: Indonesia is an increasingly influential player, adeptly balancing its aspirations while addressing global challenges with accomplishment.
In the 2024 edition, Indonesia maintains its position among Asia’s top 10 powers. Though it ranks ninth behind Singapore in overall score, Indonesia stands out in the index as the most improved country since its inception in 2018. The nation’s score has increased 2.9 points, the largest of any country in this year’s API.
Lowy also hails Indonesia as a net overachiever in Asia, as its positive power gap improved strongly in 2024. This means Indonesia exerts more influence in the region than expected, given its available resources. The country also performed best in the measures of “diplomatic influence” and “cultural influence”, grew in “economic relationships” and is more outward looking in “defense networks”.
While Indonesia’s growing influence in Asia is multifaceted, the most notable contributor to its rise in the index has been a marked increase in its diplomatic efforts.
