Indonesia Campaigns for Global Recognition of Indo-Pacific Concept

AFP/POOL/ATHIT PERAWONGMETHA

US Vice President Mike Pence (third left) holds a bilateral meeting with Indonesia\'s President Joko Widodo (fourth right) on the sidelines of the 33rd Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit in Singapore on November 14, 2018.

SINGAPORE, KOMPAS -- The Indonesian government has continued its campaign for the Indo-Pacific concept at the 33rd Summit of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) in Singapore. The concept is aimed to strengthen peace, stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region. In the concept, Indonesia prioritizes principles of openness, inclusivity and transparency.

A shared perspective on the Indo-Pacific concept among ASEAN members and partners and the collaborative spirit among these countries is seen as having contributed toward ASEAN’s relevance and centrality.

Foreign Minister Retno LP Marsudi said on Wednesday (14/11/2018) that President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo would promote the concept at various summits, including the ASEAN-Australia Summit, the ASEAN-China Summit and bilateral meetings with Australia and the US. Indonesia will also promote the concept in the 13th East Asia Summit this Thursday.

Transforming threats

Uncertainties and huge challenges faced by the Indo-Pacific region may potentially threaten regional peace, stability and prosperity, especially with regards to the constellation of world powers.

The President said that ASEAN, located in the heart of the Indo-Pacific region, should play its role and transform these potential threats into opportunities for strengthening cooperation.

“Our world is facing many uncertainties. ASEAN should remain a promoter of peace and prosperity. ASEAN should be able to transform potential threats into opportunities for cooperation and potential tensions into peace,” the President said in the summit’s plenary session. “In the summit in April, I have explained the importance for ASEAN to develop cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region that prioritizes principles of openness, inclusivity, transparency and respect for international law and ASEAN’s centrality.”

Furthermore, Jokowi said that he was glad about ASEAN’s positive response to the Indo-Pacific concept and willingness to make it a shared concept among its members.

“I am glad that the draft of the shared concept has been discussed. God willing, we can agree upon it soon. Informal consultations have also been carried out with ASEAN’s partners,” he said.

The President also asked the Chinese government to collaborate under the Indo-Pacific banner. “We are facing many regional security challenges, not only in the Pacific Ocean but also in the Indian Ocean. ASEAN-China has no other choice but to collaborate in the face of these developments. The one issue I wish to underline is the importance for ASEAN and China to strengthen their cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region,” the President said.

He further emphasized that, principally, the Indo-Pacific concept would not isolate one or more countries from the international relationship and cooperation. On the contrary, with regards to ASEAN’s centrality and role, the Indo-Pacific concept was proposed to strengthen openness in regional cooperation.

The Indonesia government is also pushing for the collaborative development of Indo-Pacific relations with the US. The President conveyed this plan to US Vice President Mike Pence in an Indonesia-US bilateral meeting. The concept will be brought to the East Asia Summit and be synergized with a similar concept the US is proposing.

Optimistic

Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) senior researcher Shafiah Muhibat said that she believed other countries would accept the Indo-Pacific concept that Indonesia proposed.

“Normatively, this is not something new in ASEAN. The idea has existed in the region for some time and has been well-accepted. This is different from the US’ idea, which is more about creating new security regulations that are highly controversial and widely rejected,” Shafiah said.

ASEAN’s neutral position will make it easier for the Indo-Pacific concept to be widely accepted. (JOS)