The country of a thousand islands and a new center of power in Asia

Indonesia is a unique country even by Asian standards. It is the world’s largest archipelagic state, consisting of approximately 17,000 islands. Its geographical location between the Indian and Pacific Oceans makes the country one of the key transport hubs of global trade. This allows Minsk and Jakarta to view each other not only as partners at the bilateral level, but also as unique bridges between regions — Eastern Europe and Southeast Asia.

«Indonesia is a country with a population of over 280 million, the largest state in Southeast Asia. It is a country that has its own voice in the G20, and that voice does not depend on the position of the United States or the collective West. Indonesia is a country with a developing economy, where the majority of the population belongs to a growing middle class that show interest in investing both domestically and abroad,» noted Nikita Belenchenko, Director of the Center for International Studies at the Faculty of International Relations of BSU, said in an episode in BelTA’s project V Teme [On point].

A significant portion of global cargo flows passes through the sea routes adjacent to Indonesia. In addition, the country possesses vast reserves of natural resources: coal, nickel, tin, bauxites, and natural gas. In recent years, Jakarta has been actively developing domestic processing of raw materials, particularly in the field of battery production for electric vehicles.

Belarus and Indonesia have agreed to strengthen coordination of actions on the international arena.
Indonesia is the largest economy in Southeast Asia, and its population represents both a vast labor force and a gigantic domestic market.

«Deepening relations with the states of Southeast Asia is one of the priorities of Belarus’ foreign policy. Indonesia is one of the key countries for advancing our interests in this vast region,» Aleksandr Lukashenko said during his first visit to Jakarta in 2013. «I am confident that Belarus for Indonesia can also become a gateway to neighboring states. Our interest lies in ASEAN, yours — in Europe and the Customs Union through Belarus.»

The country’s political weight also plays a special role. Indonesia is one of the leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and traditionally adheres to strategic autonomy, seeking to maintain relations with different centers of power simultaneously. For Belarus, such a partner is particularly interesting: Jakarta has influence in Asia, yet is not part of rigid military-political blocs.

It would seem that Indonesia is too far from Belarus. Can the countries build close mutually beneficial relations? But Aleksandr Lukashenko gave an answer to this question more than 10 years ago.

«We are going to Singapore and Indonesia. Some say: ‘Why go so far?’ My dear ones, the world today is so small that saying Indonesia is very far from us is simply foolish. Today we must go where we are welcome. I have already given an instruction to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs: we must completely reorient our foreign economic and political representations in accordance with our interests. We must go where we are welcome, where new markets are opening up. We must take all the best in the world and bring it here, to our country,» the head of state emphasized in his Address to the Belarusian people and the National Assembly in 2013.

From first contacts to strategic dialogue

The history of relations between Belarus and Indonesia has its roots in the Soviet period, when interaction with this country developed within the framework of the USSR’s foreign policy.

Moscow and Jakarta cooperated in the political, trade, economic, and humanitarian areas, implemented joint projects, and developed ties in science. The Byelorussian SSR also took part in this interaction as part of the unified economy of the Soviet Union. Byelorussian enterprises were included in the all-Soviet Union system of foreign economic relations: machinery products, industrial equipment, and technology were supplied to foreign countries, including states in Asia.

A new stage of interaction began after Belarus gained independence. Diplomatic relations between the two countries were established on 18 June 1993. In the early years, cooperation was primarily of a framework nature and was limited to maintaining political contacts. A notable revival in dialogue occurred in 2009. Minsk and Jakarta began actively exchanging delegations and holding regular negotiations at various levels, both through the executive and legislative branches of government within the framework of bilateral and multilateral events.

At the same time, Aleksandr Lukashenko emphasized that the Southeast Asian region remained practically «a terra incognita» for Belarusian foreign policy activity. Therefore, an important step in institutionally strengthening relations was the opening of the Belarusian Embassy in Indonesia in August 2011. This made it possible to translate interaction into a more systematic and sustainable format.

«There are no artificial problems between us that would hinder comprehensive trade and economic cooperation,» the Belarusian head of state stated while receiving the credentials of the Indonesian Ambassador in 2012.

A turning point came in 2013, when Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko made a state visit to Indonesia. The trip took place in March and was timed to coincide with the 20th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

«I know this country well (since my student years). One of my student research papers was precisely about your country,» Aleksandr Lukashenko said during negotiations with Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.

Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko during negotiations with Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, March 2013

The Belarusian head of state noted that this was the first visit at the highest level in the history of bilateral relations. «The fact that we prepared it for more than ten years, in today’s dynamic world, is a serious omission, primarily on our, Belarusian, part,» the president believes. «We possess a tremendous unrealized potential for cooperation. Now we have a lot to catch up on quickly.»

At that time, the trade between the countries was about $130 million. In previous years, the figures were both worse and better. For example, in 2011 the trade was $220 million. But even these figures, Aleksandr Lukashenko believed, clearly did not correspond to the capabilities of the two states.

What Belarus and Indonesia find interesting in each other

Despite the geographical distance, in a number of areas Minsk and Jakarta could establish close partnership. For example, Indonesia planned to ramp up coal mining, and Belarus was ready to supply reliable and modern mining dump trucks. Moreover, these machines were in use at a deposit in East Kalimantan. Similar offers were made for other types of automotive equipment: Belarusian enterprises developed special models for Indonesia.

Furthermore, Belarus reaffirmed its commitment to deepening industrial cooperation and creating several joint ventures. Belarus has already implemented similar projects in various regions of the world, from CIS countries to Latin America.

Military-technical cooperation, including equipment modernization and specialist training, was named as a separate area of potential interaction. Of particular interest were possible joint projects in bio- and information technologies, agricultural sciences, food industry, as well as enhanced oil recovery.

«Earth remote sensing, the mining industry, laser equipment and technologies, nanotechnology, metalworking and metal technologies, mechanical engineering, including the production of agricultural machinery — this is only a small fraction of what we are ready to share with our Indonesian friends,» the «Belarusian leader stated.

Following the highest-level negotiations, the parties signed several documents on expanding cooperation. The main focus, of course, was on the economy, industry, agriculture, technology, and trade. Special emphasis at that time was placed on the capabilities of Belarusian industry. The Indonesian side expressed interest in Belarusian technologies in agricultural machinery, heavy equipment, and mechanical engineering.

«Our cooperation is currently developing well, but we can establish even closer relations. Deepening cooperation with Belarus in the future is political capital for us,» said the Indonesian leader.

New contracts indeed stimulated trade between the countries, and trade began to grow. In some years, the countries even managed to surpass previous record figures. At the same time, as experts noted, a significant part of the potential of Belarusian-Indonesian cooperation still remains unrealized, which leaves room for further growth and expansion of cooperation.

In Indonesia, for example, they spoke of the possibility of increasing trade with Belarus to $1 billion. This was stated, in particular, by Speaker of Regional Representative Council of People’s Consultative Assembly of Indonesia Irman Gusman during a meeting with Aleksandr Lukashenko in May 2015.

Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko meets with Speaker of Regional Representative Council of People’s Consultative Assembly of Indonesia Irman Gusman, May 2015

«Belarus and Indonesia are located in different geographic regions, separated by thousands of kilometers, but there are far more points of contact than might seem at first glance. The economies of Belarus and Indonesia are largely complementary, and the potential for cooperation is very high. In essence, our countries are only just beginning to discover each other. Belarus is of interest to Indonesia as a high-tech country ready to offer its competencies across a wide range of areas,» said Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Belarus to Indonesia Roman Romanovsky.

He suggested exploring the opportunities for cooperation, for example, in food security. Indonesia’s population is growing rapidly, and Belarus is ready to supply a wide range of halal-compliant food products to the Indonesian market.

«Our country produces agricultural machinery that can help Indonesia in the process of agricultural mechanization. The country’s leadership pays close attention to this sector,» the head of the Belarusian diplomatic mission said.

Incidentally, in recent years Indonesia have repeatedly expressed interest in cooperation with Belarus in the supply of potash fertilizers. In 2025, the Indonesian foreign minister stated the importance of expanding such cooperation to ensure the country’s food sustainability.
Belarus sees serious potential in the development of industrial cooperation and the establishment of assembly plants for Belarusian equipment. «This fully aligns with the industrialization policy being pursued by Indonesia,» Ambassador Roman Romanovsky emphasized.

According to him, Belarusian universities are open for cooperation in training qualified personnel for the modernization of the Indonesian economy. This applies not only to technical specialties but also to the training of medical personnel.

«Indonesia, in turn, is of interest to us as the largest country in Southeast Asia and a gateway to the vast market of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. The country possesses, on the one hand, a capacious domestic market, and on the other, it is one of the world’s leading producers of such goods in demand in Belarus as palm and coconut oil, fish and seafood, electrical equipment, footwear, and textiles,» the ambassador noted.

Jakarta and the EAEU: Seeking points of convergence

In recent years, Indonesia has focused on developing interaction with the Eurasian Economic Union. For Jakarta, expanding contacts with the union, which includes Belarus, Russia, Kazakhstan, Armenia, and Kyrgyzstan, is seen as an opportunity to strengthen its presence in Eurasian markets, while for EAEU states it is a path to expanding economic ties with one of the largest growth centers in Asia.

The parties are now awaiting the entry into force of the free trade agreement between the Eurasian Economic Union and Indonesia, signed at the end of 2025. Belarus and Russia have already ratified this document.

«Belarusian businesses are looking forward to this event. We invite Indonesian industry and business to engage more with Belarusian partners, develop the legal framework for cooperation, participate in exhibitions and seminars, and organize joint business events. This approach will help us better understand each other’s needs, seek and find points of mutual interest, establish direct contacts, and build long-term interaction and partnership. It will also create a solid foundation for further multifaceted work under the conditions of the free trade zone,» Belarusian Prime Minister Aleksandr Turchin said during a meeting with Indonesia’s Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto in May.


According to the agreement, Indonesia opens preferential access for the EAEU member states with respect to 90% of the product range. As a result of the liberalization of the trade regime, the average tariff applied by Indonesia to EAEU goods is expected to decrease fivefold, from 10.2% to 2%.

Preferential access will be granted for such key agricultural goods as cereals (wheat, millet, rye, oats), spices, certain types of flour, bakery products, fish and beef, dairy products including powdered milk and cheeses, mineral waters, and many other items.

In the industrial sector, concessions for the EAEU have been granted for the following categories of goods: metallurgical industry products, petroleum products (including light and other distillates), coal and anthracite, fertilizers, primary-form polymers, timber industry products, construction equipment, and various types of machinery.

Indonesia will also be able to increase supplies across a wide range of consumer goods. This includes automotive components, electronics (household appliances), and certain types of clothing and footwear.

A signal to strengthen ties

Belarusian-Indonesian relations are now entering a new stage. In July 2025, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto visited Belarus. Aleksandr Lukashenko hosted his Indonesian counterpart in his home. In an informal setting the presidents discussed the broadest possible range of topics.

«After this house was restored, only President Putin has been here before you. A very, very long time ago, even before it was restored, Xi Jinping was here with his family. So these three great people, together with you, have been my guests here,» the Belarusian leader said while receiving the Indonesian guest.

For his part, Prabowo Subianto expressed hope that in the near future the Belarusian president would find an opportunity to visit his home in Indonesia as well.

«With great pleasure. I think we will choose such a time, prepare thoroughly, and do something so that there will be something to talk about. I will visit Indonesia again with great pleasure,» Aleksandr Lukashenko replied.

The press service of the Indonesian leader, in its press release about the meeting, noted its warm character and clarified that Prabowo Subianto made a brief stopover in Belarus while returning to Indonesia after a visit to France. Upon arrival in Indonesia, the head of state explained that the visit to Belarus allowed for discussions on important strategic needs of both countries, including possible expansion of cooperation in the trade of commodity raw materials and meeting fertilizer needs.

«Belarus needs many goods from us, and we are also discussing this matter with them, because we need them for fertilizers, potash fertilizers, and so on,» the Indonesian president told journalists in Jakarta.

A couple of months later, both leaders met in Beijing, where they attended the festivities on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the Victory over Japanese militarism and the end of World War II, and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit. The heads of state discussed bilateral cooperation, including in education. In particular, the discussion concerned the training of Indonesians in Belarus. Prabowo Subianto then once again invited Aleksandr Lukashenko to pay a visit to Indonesia.

Ahead of the head of state’s visit, a Belarusian-Indonesian business forum was held in Jakarta. It brought together representatives from many sectors of the economy, including mechanical engineering, food production, education, logistics, and the insurance services sector. Under previously worked-out contracts and agreements, Indonesian partners have already signed contracts worth $49 million, but meetings are ongoing, and business communities from both countries are expecting new agreements.

«A powerful impetus to the development of bilateral cooperation was given by the heads of our states, Aleksandr Lukashenko and Prabowo Subianto, during meetings last year. Thanks to the warm and truly trusting relations that have developed between the heads of state, and the agreements on a wide range of areas, Belarusian-Indonesian interaction has reached a completely new level. A clear confirmation of this is the growth in mutual trade. We need to maintain the positive momentum in trade and find new growth points and opportunities for closer integration,» Belarusian Deputy Prime Minister Viktor Karankevich said during the business forum.

Thus, Indonesia for Belarus is not just another destination for foreign trade, but part of a broader picture of a changing world, where centers of economic growth and political influence are gradually shifting toward Asia. In turn, for Jakarta, cooperation with Minsk opens up additional opportunities in this part of the continent. The distance between the two countries is measured not only in thousands of kilometers, but also in the volume of yet unrealized opportunities. It is the unlocking of these opportunities that will become the main test for the new stage of partnership.