JAKARTA, thekabarnews.com—Indonesia has reaffirmed its commitment to an independent and active foreign policy as President Prabowo Subianto’s Red and White Cabinet completed its second year in office on Oct. 20, 2026.

The government said its diplomacy would continue to obey the Constitution while advancing national interests in an increasingly divided international environment. Its priorities include opening overseas markets, protecting Indonesian citizens abroad and contributing to regional stability.

President Prabowo has repeatedly described the approach as nonaligned and open to cooperation with all countries.

“A thousand friends are too few; one adversary is too many,” Prabowo said when outlining his foreign-policy philosophy. In his 2024 inauguration address, he said Indonesia would avoid military blocs while remaining opposed to colonialism and oppression.

Economic diplomacy produced several agreements during the administration’s first two years, although some have not yet entered into force.

Indonesia and Canada signed the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement in Ottawa on September 24, 2025. The deal aims to cut trade barriers and create more predictable rules for services and investment.

In September 2025, Indonesia and the European Union also concluded negotiations on their comprehensive economic partnership and investment-protection agreements.

The Foreign Ministry also identified citizen protection as a central measure of diplomatic performance. It reported resolving about 124,000 cases involving Indonesian nationals between 2024 and September 2026. The ministry said future work would focus on faster crisis responses and more integrated digital services.

Indonesia has also maintained a significant presence in United Nations peacekeeping. UN Secretary-General António Guterres described Indonesia as the sixth-largest contributor of uniformed personnel in October. Nearly 2,000 Indonesians were serving in seven UN missions at the time.

At the regional level, Indonesia has continued to place ASEAN at the center of its foreign policy. The government supported Timor-Leste’s accession as ASEAN’s 11th member, which formally occurred at the Kuala Lumpur summit on Oct. 26, 2025.

Palestine remains another prominent diplomatic priority. In April 2026, Indonesian humanitarian organizations sent a 500-ton aid convoy to Gaza through Egypt. The shipment, valued at about US$1.1 million, targeted 150,000 beneficiaries.

Indonesia’s Cairo embassy said recorded assistance sent through Egypt since October 2023 had reached approximately 2,580 tons, worth $22.55 million, according to the Indonesian Foreign Ministry.

The reported government achievements suggest a wider diplomatic engagement, but the long-term benefits will depend on implementation. Trade agreements should offer real opportunities and citizen protection and peace initiatives should continue to produce results beyond formal commitments.