By Nik Nurfaqih Nik Wil
JAKARTA, July 31 (Bernama) -- Indonesia, the world's third-largest democracy, will continue to pursue a non-aligned foreign policy and maintain neutrality amid global geopolitical tensions, remaining outside any military bloc.
Speaking at a meeting with the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry on Friday, President Prabowo Subianto said the policy was a legacy of the country's founding fathers, who had chosen not to align Indonesia with any military bloc or pact.
“Major wars are taking place everywhere, millions have already become victims, and we have come to understand that a war in one part of the world has repercussions everywhere, affecting food prices, fuel prices and many other things," he said at the meeting, which was streamed live on YouTube.
Citing the prolonged wars in Ukraine, Gaza and the wider Middle East, including around the Strait of Hormuz, as well as conflict in Myanmar and continued tensions between Thailand and Cambodia, Prabowo said the fragile geopolitical landscape underscored the importance of Indonesia maintaining its long-standing foreign policy.
“Our policy is the policy of the good neighbour. We want to be a good neighbour,” he said.
Prabowo said his administration had sought to strengthen relations with neighbouring countries through reconciliation and peaceful approaches to resolve longstanding disputes inherited from the colonial era, stressing that Indonesia would not be provoked despite being the region's largest country.
He said Indonesia maintained good relations with all major powers, including the United States, China, Russia, Japan, India and Australia, while remaining neutral, a stance that had earned the trust of many countries as Indonesia respected the sovereignty of others and did not interfere in their domestic affairs.
--NNN-BERNAMA