Blinken’s visit to Indonesia & the new possibilities

Southeast Asia in the past years has become a complex and crucial battleground between China and the United States. The two global superpowers aspire to expand their influence in the region. Additionally, Southeast Asia is quite pivotal for the functioning of the most discussed ‘Indo- pacific strategy’ drafted by the US. The latter intends to build a strong nexus with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to successfully counter challenge China. During a press conference in Indonesia, Blinken reiterated that China must do away with its aggressive actions and a ‘big brother’ attitude in the Indo-Pacific. He also suggested that “the US is ready to work with its allies to uphold and continue a ‘rules-based order’ to defend openness in the Indo- pacific” [1].

Strong Bilateral Relations

Blinken’s visit comes amid heightened tensions between the US and China, however, that does not impact the history former shares with Indonesia. The US and Indonesia are republics with extremely close cooperation since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1949. Both the countries share a common interest in the fields of security, economics, commerce, counter-terrorism, climate change, and peace and stability of the Indo- pacific region. The tour will subsequently enhance the US- Indonesia Strategic Partnership and reaffirm the importance of free and open Indo- pacific.

Indonesia has the title of world's third-largest democracy, it is the most populous Muslim- majority country, and is situated in a very strategic position regionally and globally. The US mends deep and enduring relations with Indonesia based on their belief in democracy, diversity, inclusion, and plurality. The visit by the US Secretary of State follows the participation of President Joko ‘Jokowi’ Widodo in the monumental ‘Summit for Democracy’. The countries have committed themselves to bolster democracy and preserve human rights. They pledge to confront and resolve the serious challenges faced by democracy today. However, the present time calls for expanding the horizon of cooperation. The leadership of the two countries promises to handhold and work upon areas including maritime issues, global health, and digital economy elevating the engagements to unprecedented levels. Indonesia and the US have expressed their intentions to continue fighting against the pandemic together and build a stronger global health architecture. For instance, Indonesians have received more than 25 million vaccine doses through the global COVAX facility from the US and the latter has committed to further brace this health infrastructure [2]. The future of this relationship also entails deeper ties to combat the climate change crisis and build green economies. The countries have devoted themselves to taking efforts towards a high-level Bilateral Climate Working Group and fast-track measures to limit the global temperature up to 1.5 degrees Celsius.

The year 2021 has witnessed manifold meetings and discussions between the apex level leaders such as the first US- Indonesia Strategic Dialogue that took place in August in Washington. Furthermore, the most recent engagements include the Glasgow summit between President Joe Biden and Indonesian President Jokowi. Antony Blinken's visit towards the end of this year has turned into a picturesque moment. His engagement with the Indonesian President followed by a public speech solidifies the camaraderie between the two countries. The US has always applauded Indonesia’s historic leadership in the ASEAN and Indo- pacific and now is avidly looking forward to the G-20 Presidency of 2022 as it is held by none other than its ally Indonesia [3]. The steps taken by these two democracies in the present would have a very positive long-term effect on the bilateral ties as well as on the region overall.

Indonesia’s Expectations

Blinken has set forth a clear message to the Indonesians that the US desires to mold stronger relations and gather support for freedom of navigation and open air space in the region. The visit’s top agenda has been to increase regional security and to quell Chinese hostilities in the South China Sea. Experts suggest that the Indonesian government rebukes Chinese belligerence in the region, on one hand, however, it does not overlook the economic interests with China as the latter being the second-largest foreign investor in the country amounting to 4.8 billion USD in the year 2020 [4]. Indonesia is well versed with the interests of the US in Southeast Asia i.e. to gain more allies to counter Beijing in this constantly altering geopolitics as China also has a similar agenda. Looking at the bigger picture, the existing tensions between the US and China have resulted in the pulling back of the American foreign investments in China. Now what Indonesia expects is that the US relocates China's share of investments in the country and widens the scope of American markets for the Indonesian businesses. Other than the economic interests, Indonesia would forever relish its cordialness with the Americans to fulfill the strategic interests in the South China Sea. Indonesia has stated its predilection towards incoming structural support to build security infrastructure in the region to counter Chinese dominance. The country understands the changing power dynamics and the increasing role of ASEAN and the other developing countries. For instance, the proposition of AUKUS between the US, UK, and Australia reflects the growing importance of the countries in the Indo- pacific region, further Indonesia wishes to reap the advantages of this global power shift to forge the region more prosperous. To sum up, it would not be a difficult challenge for the Americans to subdue Chinese economic influence in the Southeast Asian region because the US has a great deal of goodwill amongst the countries of the region especially Indonesia.

US- Indonesia Maritime Agreement

During the visit, Blinken advanced an attempt to establish strong ties with regard to maritime security and better navigation opportunities. The strategic partnership between them warrants embracing a wide range of maritime cooperation to protect security interests in the Southeast Asian region as well as the South China Sea. Indonesia and the US share common interests in global oceans and sustainable development in the maritime sector. The countries back in 2015 have signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Maritime Cooperation [5]. There are extensive initiatives dealing with the maritime sector between Indonesia and the US. First, collaborative work on combating illegal and unregulated fishing in the waters around Indonesia and other ASEAN countries. Indonesia receives assistance from the Americans in aspects of novel technologies for finer surveillance in the oceans, system integration and flow of information, and capacity building. Additionally, upholding comprehensive measures to tighten port security. Second, within the framework of the US- Indonesia Agreement on Science and Technology Collaboration, both the countries have undertaken joint observation and scientific research on marine ecosystems. Hence, it will help in a better comprehension of drastic climate change effects. For instance, clearer predictions on drought and abnormal rains for Indonesia, research on the impact of ocean acidification on coral reefs, and learning how the atmospheric and oceanographic phenomenon in the Indian Ocean directly affects the climate of the US. Third, explore the trade and investment opportunities in the maritime sector with more public-private partnerships. Also, collaborating on prevention of security threats in the maritime transport sector, especially with the increasing trade ties between Indonesia and the US in recent times. 

Blinken’s presence in Jakarta has confirmed an extension and enhancement of the bilateral maritime cooperation agreement until the year 2026 [6]. The underwriting of a much broader and wide-ranging maritime deal enveloping crucial security and navigation concerns is part of America's venture to construct a free and open Indo- pacific.  The countries have agreed to establish a 2+2 dialogue format between the ministries of defense and foreign affairs in order to toughen the maritime security cooperation. As many analysts suggest that the one area which is particularly crucial for this region is none other than maritime security. Blinken himself suggested that cooperation in this dimension is highly vital as a vast amount of trade and commerce happens through the sea in this region. On the other hand, Indonesia is glad to have support from the Americans in its efforts to secure maritime rights in the South China Sea including the issue of its Exclusive Economic Zone around the Natuna Islands.

Conclusion

The Indonesian capital Jakarta is the headquarters of ASEAN from where the US Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed the significance of Indo- pacific that “this region more than any other region of the world will greatly influence the trajectory of world politics in the 21^st century. It is fastest growing region accounting for two-thirds of global economic growth in the past five years". He also praised Indonesia for the belief in its motto 'Unity in Diversity, an ideal shared by the Americans as well. Blinken suggested that the ties with Indonesia are quite natural as both countries defend the 'rules-based order' which is not to overpower any country rather protect the right of all countries to choose their path, free from coercion and intimidation [7]. In conclusion, Southeast Asia has a long-standing history of crucial security and economic ties to the US and has a very strategic role. Therefore, the engagement is expected to flourish in the times to come. The US must maintain regional security by preserving a credible military presence and a viable economic support structure. Indonesia is the fulcrum of ASEAN being the fourth most populous country, a major oil exporter, and inherently diverse. This calls for a long-lasting alliance between the US and Indonesia.

References

[1] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rho1rrfwHuw&ab_channel=CNA

[2] https://www.state.gov/the-united-states-indonesia-relationship/

[3] https://www.state.gov/secretary-antony-j-blinken-to-mission-indonesia-staff/

[4] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m1RI7QQlF2s&ab_channel=DWNews

[5] https://id.usembassy.gov/our-relationship/policy-history/embassy-fact-sheets/fact-sheet-u-s-indonesia-maritime-cooperation/

[6] https://www.arabnews.com/node/1986631/world

[7] https://www.cnbc.com/2021/12/14/blinkens-trip-aims-to-boost-us-ties-with-southeast-asia-.html

Pic Courtesy- Pankaj Jha

(The views expressed are those of the author and do not represent views of CESCUBE.)