Conference of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), held in Vientiane, Laos, on October 9-10, 2024, marked a crucial moment for Southeast Asian countries to strengthen regional cooperation in facing geopolitical challenges in the Indo-Pacific.

During this annual meeting, leaders from ASEAN member states and dialogue partners such as the United States, Japan, Britain, China, and the European Union will discuss joint efforts to maintain regional stability and security.

ASEAN, formed to respect the sovereignty of its member states, has demonstrated its ability to manage differences through consultation and consensus.

This approach is highly relevant in the Indo-Pacific context, where geopolitical competition must be managed wisely to prevent conflict escalation.

In this regard, Indonesia plays a central role as the leader of ASEAN.

Indonesia’s ability to balance the interests of various major powers while maintaining its strategic autonomy will significantly influence ASEAN’s foreign policy direction.

As a country with significant influence in Southeast Asia, Indonesia has a responsibility to promote stronger regional cooperation, especially in addressing challenges such as disputes in the South China Sea and the presence of foreign military forces in the region.

Indonesia’s diplomacy within ASEAN will be crucial in efforts to maintain Indo-Pacific stability.

Moreover, the Indo-Pacific region has become a focal point of increasing global geopolitical tension, where major countries like the United States, China, and the European Union are engaged in efforts to strengthen their influence and strategic interests.

As a region rich in natural resources and strategic sea lanes, the Indo-Pacific is becoming an increasingly complex geopolitical battleground.

In this context, recently the National Defense Institute (Lemhannas) together with the Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs and Investment (Kemenko Marves), in the Jakarta Geopolitical Forum (JGF) VIII/2024 at the end of September 2024, emphasized the importance of maintaining regional security stability.

Indonesia, as the largest country in the region, has an important role in maintaining Indo-Pacific stability.

Geopolitical Dynamics in the Indo-Pacific

The Indo-Pacific is a highly strategic and important region in the global geopolitical landscape. This area encompasses vital sea lanes for international trade and is rich in natural resources, such as oil, gas, and other marine resources.

With sea routes connecting Asia, Africa, and America, the Indo-Pacific has become the center of the world economy, where its sustainability and stability are crucial for global economic growth.

On the other hand, the strategic value of this region also makes it a battleground for major powers seeking to strengthen their influence in the Indo-Pacific, both through economic and military means.

Major powers such as the United States, China, the United Kingdom, France, and several other European nations have intensified their activities in this region.

The United States, with its free and open Indo-Pacific strategy, aims to ensure freedom of navigation and trade.

Meanwhile, China is expanding its influence by modernizing its military and reinforcing its control over the South China Sea—an area that is heavily contested due to its rich resources and strategic position.

The United Kingdom and France have also increased their military presence in efforts to safeguard their interests and protect their allies in the region.

This escalating competition clearly raises tensions, creating the potential for conflict in a region that should be safeguarded for global economic stability.

Amid this complex geopolitical situation, Indonesia plays a very important role. As a country situated in the heart of the Indo-Pacific, Indonesia has a significant responsibility for maintaining stability in the region, both in maritime and economic aspects.

In this context, the Indonesian National Resilience Institute (Lemhannas) has emphasized the need for Indonesia to formulate intelligent and comprehensive geopolitical strategies to protect its sovereignty.

At the same time, Indonesia must be able to balance the interests of major powers competing in the region while prioritizing its national interests.

This approach presents its own challenges, as Indonesia must manage diplomatic relations with various major powers, such as the United States and China, each having different agendas in the Indo-Pacific.

One of the key strategies Indonesia should adopt is to strengthen its strategic non-alignment principle.

This principle allows Indonesia to maintain good relations with all countries without having to side with any major power.

In the Indo-Pacific context, a non-aligned approach provides Indonesia the flexibility to play a more active role in maintaining peace and stability in the region.

Indonesia can act as a mediator in regional conflicts, while also ensuring that international trade routes remain safe and free from military threats.

This strategy also helps Indonesia uphold its sovereignty without being overly reliant on foreign powers, while still engaging in mutually beneficial international cooperation.

The dynamics of geopolitics in the Indo-Pacific demand that Indonesia respond smartly and wisely.

Indonesia must effectively blend diplomacy with the strengthening of national defense while maintaining a flexible non-aligned policy.

Indonesia’s Role in Regional Stability

As the largest archipelagic nation in the world, located at the center of the Indo-Pacific region, Indonesia plays a strategic role in ensuring freedom of navigation and the security of trade routes in these crucial waters.

The Indo-Pacific not only serves as a major international trade route but is also rich in natural resources.

Consequently, maritime security in Indonesian waters, including the Malacca Strait and the North Natuna Sea, is a critical issue.

The stability of this region has a direct impact on the global economy, requiring Indonesia to effectively address new challenges arising from increasingly complex geopolitical dynamics.

Indonesia must not only enhance its defense capabilities but also formulate policies that can effectively respond to maritime threats, such as military activities by major countries and the potential for conflict in the South China Sea.

Additionally, the security of trade routes and smuggling issues must also be prioritized.

Furthermore, Indonesia must strengthen its role in multilateral diplomacy, particularly in international forums such as ASEAN, the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), and the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA).

As a member of ASEAN with significant influence, Indonesia has a tremendous opportunity to bolster its position on the international stage.

This multilateral diplomacy is crucial for promoting dialogue and cooperation in addressing security issues, especially in a region fraught with rivalries between major powers like the United States and China.

The strategic non-aligned principle that Indonesia steadfastly upholds serves as a foundation for foreign policy that is highly relevant in the face of global rivalry in the Indo-Pacific.

By not siding with any major power, Indonesia can maintain its independence in determining policy direction while also fostering good relations with all nations.

This principle enables Indonesia to act as a mediator and stabilizer in the region, particularly during tense situations such as conflicts in the South China Sea or disputes concerning freedom of navigation in international waters.

In the midst of increasing geopolitical competition in the Indo-Pacific, Indonesia must be astute in safeguarding its national interests.

Strengthening diplomacy and enhancing security cooperation with neighboring countries is a vital strategy.

Indonesia must also continually bolster its maritime defense to protect its sovereignty over marine territories and resources, without getting entangled in conflicts between major powers.

By combining military and diplomatic approaches, Indonesia can take a larger role in maintaining stability and security in the Indo-Pacific while ensuring that global trade routes remain safe and open.

Future Challenges in the Indo-Pacific

The stability of the Indo-Pacific region is a collective responsibility involving all countries situated in this strategic area, including Indonesia.

In recent years, the challenges faced by this region have become increasingly complex, including competition among major powers, territorial disputes, and maritime tensions.

Given the importance of the Indo-Pacific as a center of global economy and international trade routes, responses to these challenges must be comprehensive.

As an archipelagic nation located in the heart of this region, Indonesia has a central role in maintaining regional stability and security.

Therefore, Indonesia must continue to strengthen its role in regional and international diplomacy while adhering to non-aligned principles and respecting international law.

Indonesia also has the opportunity to leverage the deliberative mechanisms and multilateral approaches established by ASEAN.

Moreover, ASEAN has a long history of prioritizing dialogue and diplomacy to resolve disputes arising among its members.

With the principles of consultation and consensus firmly upheld, ASEAN can serve as an effective conflict resolution platform in addressing the challenges posed in the South China Sea and other security issues in the region.

In this context, Indonesia, as the largest country in ASEAN, needs to take the initiative to lead efforts in maintaining security and stability in the Indo-Pacific.

Therefore, Indonesia’s success in spearheading these initiatives is not only important for national sovereignty but also has broader implications for global security.

In an increasingly interconnected world, tensions in one region can quickly spread and affect stability in other areas.

Thus, maintaining peace in the Indo-Pacific will not only benefit the countries in the region but also contribute to global security and well-being.

Indonesia must develop a proactive and responsive foreign policy that addresses the ever-changing geopolitical dynamics while remaining committed to upholding international norms.

It is vital for Indonesia to strengthen its defense strategies to effectively respond to various existing challenges.

Modernizing the military, enhancing diplomatic capabilities, and developing international cooperation are strategic steps that need to be taken.

Indonesia should prioritize an approach that emphasizes dialogue and cooperation, thus avoiding entanglement in rivalries among major powers.

In this regard, Indonesia’s non-aligned approach allows it to play a credible role as a mediator in disputes within the region, without favoring any particular power.

By leveraging its ASEAN membership and fostering good relations with major countries, Indonesia can create a conducive environment for stability in the Indo-Pacific.

Lessons from Middle Eastern Conflicts

Regional stability is a crucial element in maintaining peace and preventing prolonged conflicts, as evidenced in the Middle East.

This region has long been plagued by tensions and violence, involving conflicts in Palestine, Lebanon, Iran, Israel, and Yemen.

Mistrust among nations and the tendency to rely on military power have worsened the situation, resulting in prolonged humanitarian crises and widespread instability.

The absence of strong international norms that prioritize dialogue and diplomacy has made the Middle East a clear example of how regional conflicts can spiral out of control.

Lessons from the Middle East provide valuable insights for other regions, including ASEAN, in facing similar challenges.

The South China Sea is one area with high tensions that could potentially escalate into a major conflict if not managed properly.

Therefore, ASEAN, as an organization that prioritizes stability and cooperation, continues to strive to avoid scenarios similar to those in the Middle East.

To this end, it emphasizes dialogue, diplomacy, and a collective approach.

ASEAN does not want its region to be engulfed in major conflicts that could threaten peace and economic progress.

ASEAN’s approach in managing tensions in the South China Sea demonstrates a strong commitment to maintaining regional stability through multilateral dialogue.

In recent years, ASEAN has established various diplomatic mechanisms, including negotiations on the Code of Conduct (COC) with China, to de-escalate tensions and avoid conflict escalation.

Furthermore, ASEAN understands that regional stability cannot rely solely on one country or a major power.

Collective cooperation is necessary to ensure that every country feels they have a role in maintaining peace.

Through an approach that involves all member states, ASEAN strives to create a more inclusive and fair regional order.

This is an effort to prevent member countries from being caught in the rivalry of great powers, which could worsen the situation, as seen in the Middle East.

Lessons from the Middle East also highlight the importance of consistent and sustained diplomacy.

In the South China Sea, ASEAN must continue to maintain open dialogue and encourage all parties to resolve differences through peaceful means.

If successful, ASEAN will be able to prevent the escalation of tensions in this highly strategic region.

ASEAN could also serve as an example of how collective diplomacy and international norms can be applied to maintain stability, not only in the Indo-Pacific but also in other regions of the world vulnerable to conflict.

Prof. Dr. Drs. Ermaya Suradinata, S.H., M.H., M.S. is the former Director General of Social Politics at the Ministry of Home Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia and the Governor of the National Defense Institute of Indonesia (2001-2005).