Indonesia–Russia relations

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Indonesia–Russia relations
Map indicating locations of Indonesia and Russia

Indonesia
Russia

Indonesia and Russia established diplomatic relations (Indonesian: Hubungan Indonesia-Rusia, Russian: Российско-индонезийские отношения) in 1950. Russia has an embassy in Jakarta, and Indonesia has an embassy in Moscow along with a consulate general in Saint Petersburg. Both countries are members of the APEC and G-20.

According to a 2018 Pew Research Center poll, 46% of Indonesians have a favourable view of Russia, with 31% expressing an unfavourable view.[1]

History[]

Colonial era[]

In the 19th century, Imperial Russian maritime expeditions started visiting the archipelago. In 1806, two sailing-ships, the Nadezhda and the Neva, under Ivan Krusenshtern and Yury Lisiansky, engaged in the first Russian circumnavigation of the earth, and approached the shores of Indonesia.

The fact that Russia paid much attention to maintaining contacts with the Indonesians was confirmed by the establishment, in 1894, of the first Russian full-time consulate in Batavia, the capital of the Dutch East Indies. Somewhat earlier, in 1890, the Pamyat Azova and the Vladimir Monomakh, the ships on which Crown Prince Nicholas, the future Emperor Nicholas II of Russia, made his Eastern voyage, dropped anchor in the same harbour.[2]

Soviet era[]

Sukarno and Voroshilov in a state meeting on 1958.

The Soviet Union established diplomatic relations with Indonesia in 1950 and is one of the very few countries to recognize Indonesia's sovereignty and independence from the Dutch after the end of World War II.

Early in the Cold War, both countries had robust relations, with Indonesian president Sukarno visiting Moscow and Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev visiting Jakarta. The first military deal of Indonesia with Soviet Union happened in 1958, which was the import of GAZ-69 trucks.[3] In 1960, General Abdul Haris Nasution visited Moscow to negotiate an arms deal with USSR. It turned out to be a $2.5 billion deal, involving the purchase of Mil Mi-4, Mil Mi-6 helicopters and MiG-15, MiG-17, MiG-19, Mig-21, Ilyushin Il-28, Tupolev Tu-16 planes, and Whiskey-class submarines, Komar-class missile boats and one Sverdlov-class cruiser, AS-1 Kennel anti-ship missiles and Antonov An-12 and Ilyushin Il-14 transport planes. Soviet Armed Forces assisted Indonesia in Operation Trikora to recapture Dutch East Indies in 1961–62.

The USSR helped Indonesia to build the Friendship Hospital and the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium, as well as transport and industrial infrastructure facilities that are in operation to this day. Great strides were made in military-technical cooperation.[4]

When Sukarno was overthrown by General Suharto, relations between the two states deteriorated, likely due to Indonesia's anti-communist policy under Suharto following the 1965 unrest and mass murder of thousands of leftists. However, unlike relations with China during Suharto's rule, diplomatic relations were not suspended and remained intact. During this time, Indonesia is also one of many countries that boycotted the 1980 Summer Olympics held in Moscow. Relations had been reported to be deteriorated further during the early days of Suharto's presidency due to widespread ideological stigma, and Indonesia became increasingly pro-Western in foreign and economic relations at the time.

Following the 1979 Soviet–Afghan War, Indonesia's negative views of the Soviet Union significantly increased, with many Indonesians claiming it as a "communist crime against Muslims".

In 1989, President Suharto visited the Soviet Union for the first time.[5]

The USSR under Mikhail Gorbachev began to develop closer ties with Indonesia alongside other Southeast Asian countries, and relations between were improving once again since the formation of the modern-day Russian Federation.

Modern Russia[]

President of Indonesia Joko Widodo with President Vladimir Putin 20 May 2016.

Under Boris Yeltsin and later Vladimir Putin, relations were generally stable and continued to the presenting for Fully Mutual cooperation to understanding between two countries to forging the Special relationship from the Presidency of Megawati Sukarnoputri until the present.

In 2000, Indonesia-Russia cooperation relations entered a new phase and experienced in a significant increase. President Abdurrahman Wahid, President Megawati Soekarnoputri, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and President Joko Widodo discussed cooperation between the two countries. In political field, the first meeting since the reform era in Indonesia and the Russian Federation era was carried out by President Abdurrahman Wahid and President Vladimir Putin, there was not much discussion produced. Meanwhile, Megawati Soekarnoputri in 2001 began to stretch Indonesia-Russia relations. Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono discussed the follow-up in the purchase of Russian warplanes. President Joko Widodo and Russian President Vladimir Putin held limited meetings.[6]

Country comparison[]

Country Indonesia Indonesia Russia Russia
Area 1,904,569 square kilometres (735,358 sq mi) 17,124,442 square kilometres (6,611,784 sq mi)
Population 270,203,917 (2020) 146,409,221 (2020)
Pop. density 159 inhabitants per square kilometre (410/sq mi) 8.2 inhabitants per square kilometre (21/sq mi)
Capital Jakarta Jakarta Moscow Moscow
Largest city Jakarta – 12,359,445 (30,458,553 Metro) Moscow – 12,142,322 (17,049,522 Metro)
Government Unitary presidential constitutional republic Federal semi-presidential constitutional republic
Language(s) Indonesian (official) Russian (official)
Religions 86.7% Islam, 10.72% Christianity, 1.7% Hinduism, 0.8% Buddhism, 0.03% Confucianism 73% Christianity, 15% Irreligious, 10% Islam, 2% Paganism, Buddhism and Other religions
Ethnic groups 42.6% Javanese, 15.4% Sundanese, 3.4% Malays, 3.3% Madurese, 3% Batak, 2.7% Minangkabau, 2.5% Betawi, 2.4% Bugis, etc. 80.9% Russians, 3.9% Tatars, 1.4% Ukrainians, 1.1% Bashkirs, 1.0% Chuvash, 1.0% Chechens, etc.
GDP $1.119 trillion (nominal, 2019); $3.338 trillion (PPP, 2019) $1.7 trillion (nominal, 2019); $4.021 trillion (PPP, 2019)
GDP per capita $4,136 (nominal, 2019); $14,020 (PPP, 2019) $11,585 (nominal, 2019); $29,181 (PPP, 2019)
GDP growth rate 5.0% (2019) 1.3% (2019)
Main industries Palm oil, coal, petroleum, textiles, mining, cement industry Petroleum, natural gas, coal, chemicals, space industry, defense
Labor force 125 million (2016) 77 million (2017)
HDI 0.718 (High) 0.824 (Very high)

Current relationship[]

Embassy of Russia, Jakarta
Embassy of Indonesia, Moscow

In late 2007, Indonesia purchased military weapons from Russia with long term payment. Indonesian airlines also were considering purchasing the Sukhoi Superjet 100 from Russia, but a 2012 demonstration crash has put such talks on hold. Indonesia now says it could take as long as a year to analyze the flight data recorder recovered from the crash site.[7] Separately, relations between the two countries are generally positive and stable, with seemingly improving contemporary and economic ties after the Cold War era.[citation needed]

Military cooperation[]

Russia is a major arms supplier to Indonesia. Russian arms exports to Indonesia include the Sukhoi Su-30, Sukhoi Su-27, Mil Mi-35, BMP-3, Mil Mi-17, and Sukhoi Su-35.

In 2004, Indonesia bought USD 1 billion worth of yet unspecified Russian weapons within the next 15 years. More immediate are Indonesia’s plans to purchase heavy armaments at a total value of US$850 million. This package is to include ten Mi-17 U-5 carrier helicopters and one Mi-35P combat helicopter for the Army, and twenty BMP-3F amphibian tanks and two submarines for the Navy forces. No actual contracts for arms deliveries were signed. The most valuable package for Indonesia’s defense capabilities, however, is for the Air Force and Navy. Six units of Sukhoi combat planes, three Su-27 type and three Su-30 has added to the two Su-27s and two Su-30s already purchased by the previous Megawati Sukarnoputri administration.[8]"Jurnal Politica".

Sukhoi Su-30 of the Indonesian Air Force

Currently, Indonesian Marine Corps operated 54 BMP-3F & 1 BREM-L currently in service (17 BMP-3F arrived in 2010 and another 37 BMP-3F & 1 BREM-L were received in 2014).[9][10] Another 22 BMP-3F were ordered in 2019 along with 21 BT-3Fs.[11]

In 2014, Russia offered the Sukhoi Su-35 to Indonesia to replace its ageing F-5E Tiger II fleet. The following year, the Indonesian Ministry of Defence selected the Su-35 ahead of the Eurofighter Typhoon, Dassault Rafale, F-16, and Saab JAS 39 Gripen; the Defence Ministry cited the Indonesian Air Force's familiarity with the Su-27SK and Su-30MK2 as the reason for its selection.[12] By 2017, negotiations between the two parties over the Su-35 had reached an advanced stage, with the Indonesian government later agreed in principle to conduct a barter trade of agricultural products for a reported eleven aircraft.[13] In February 2018, Russia and Indonesia finalised an contract for 11 aircraft, worth $1.14 billion.[14] The first delivery was expected in October 2018, but was delayed to 2019.[15] On 8 July 2020, Russian Ambassador to Indonesia, Lyudmila Vorobieva stated that Indonesia's plan to buy 11 Su-35s from Russia is still continuing.[16]

According to the Russian Ministry of Defence, on 7 December 2017 two nuclear-capable Tupolev Tu-95 strategic bombers of the Russian Air Force flew a patrol based from Biak Island in Papua, Indonesia.[17] The Russian commander stated the navigation exercises were for the purpose of checking the accuracy of long-distance flying over the seas.[18][19] Russia’s Defence Ministry said two Tupolev Tu-95MS Bears flew from the Amur region, in Russia’s far east, to Frans Kaisiepo Airport in Biak, on the northern coast of Indonesia’s eastern province of Papua as part of an international visit.[20]

On Desember 2020, Indonesian Navy and Russian Navy conducted a joint naval exercise of Passex (Passing Exercise) Rusindo-20. The exercise took place in the Java Sea on Thursday, 17 Desember 2020. Indonesian Navy sent 3 ships (KRI Karel Satsuitubun, KRI Diponegoro, and KRI Tombak), while the Russian Navy sent 3 ships (Varyag, Admiral Panteleyev, and Pechenga). The exercise conducted several drills such as Maneuver Exercise, RAS approach, Flaghoist, Flashex, and Passing Exercise.[21]

Economic cooperation[]

In the economic field In 2012 the value of Indonesian imports from Russia amounted to US$2.5 billion, and Indonesia's export value to Russia amounted to US$867.3 million, until 2016 the value of Indonesian imports from Russia was US$850.6 million, and Indonesia's export value to Russia was US$1.3 billion. There was a tendency to decrease the value of Russian imports to Indonesia, and the export value of Indonesia to Russia has increased.[22]

Based on Ministry of Trade of the Republic of Indonesia in 2017, Indonesia and Russia recorded a 19.7 percent increase in bilateral trade to $2.5 billion, with around 40 percent of Indonesian exports to Russia being palm oil products. Indonesia has been a particularly tough nut to crack for Russia, with bilateral trade in 2017 at a mere US$3.2 billion, with US$2.4 billion being Indonesian exports. Russian companies have been aiming to build an oil refinery, a power plant and a railway, but each high-level dialogue seems to produce more memoranda and not much actual building. Russian entrepreneurs Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) look enthusiastic to conduct trade contacts with partners in Indonesia. They were invited to invest in Indonesia, particularly in the field of agroindustry, fisheries, manufacturing, handicraft and infrastructure. While in the field of trade Indonesia government was offering of Indonesian superior products, among others: crude palm oil, coffee, tea, cocoa, vanilla, furniture, and garments.[8]

Indonesia is one of Russia's investment destinations, such as investing in the construction of an oil refinery worth USD 16 billion in Tuban. Based on BKPM RI data , the value of Russian investment in Indonesia in the January-September 2019 period increased 10 times by USD 17.29 million from USD 1.7 million in the same period in 2018. This figure is actually far from the actual value considering that most Russian investment into Indonesia through third countries.

Indonesia has also become one of the top destinations for Russian tourists. Based on data from the Indonesian Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy, there were 125,728 Russian tourists to Indonesia in 2018, up 6.51% from 2017. Meanwhile, in the January-November 2019 period, Russian tourists to Indonesia were 170,370 people, up 13.49% from the same period in 2018. On the other hand, not a few Indonesians also visited Russia and the number continued to increase. In addition, there are also many Indonesian students studying in Russia from only 2 people in 1996 to 644 people today.[23]

In the economic sector, the two countries are committed to advancing strategic investment and development projects in various sectors such as infrastructure, energy and transportation, which involve business, regional and people relations in both countries. The Indonesia-Russia Business Forum agreed on 13 economic cooperation in the fields of trade and investment as an effort to strengthen ties between the two countries. In the forum initiated by the Indonesian government in Moscow, it was noted that the cooperation with the highest score was achieved by PT Asia Starch International and PT Dredolf Indonesia worth US $1.10 billion.[24]

Facing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, Indonesia and Russia agreed to strengthen their joint commitment to increasing economic cooperation in the fields of trade, investment and industry. This agreement was reached by the two countries at the 4th Meeting of Indonesian – Russian Working Group on Trade, Investment and Industry (WGTII). The 4th Meeting of WGTII discussed various issues, opportunities and breakthroughs to reduce barriers to export / import trade; exploring cooperation in developing strategic industries and handling COVID-19, including cooperation on vaccines; and encouraging increased participation of the business and private sectors in investment projects between the two countries. Indonesia and Russia also agreed to provide support for the settlement of Joint Feasibility Study Group (JFSG) between Indonesia Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) nations as an effort to establish free trade agreement between Indonesia with the members of the EAEU.[25]

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ "Image of Putin, Russia Suffers Internationally". Pew Research Center. December 6, 2018.
  2. ^ "Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's article titled "Russia and Indonesia: 70 years of fruitful cooperation" published in the Indonesian national newspaper Kompas, February 2, 2020". www.mid.ru. Retrieved 2021-02-02.
  3. ^ "Russia's arms exports to Indonesia top $2.5 bln over 25 years". TASS. Retrieved 2020-09-23.
  4. ^ "Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's article titled "Russia and Indonesia: 70 years of fruitful cooperation" published in the Indonesian national newspaper Kompas, February 2, 2020". www.mid.ru. Retrieved 2021-02-02.
  5. ^ "Indonesia's Suharto to visit Moscow". UPI. Retrieved 2020-09-23.
  6. ^ Zakariya; Sukristyanto, Agus; Ilahiyah, Mar’a Elthaf; Tjahjono, Endro; Riyadi, Salmet (2018-08-07). "INDONESIA-RUSSIA RELATIONSHIP (Strategy, Opportunities, and Challenges on Liberalization and Globalization)". Eurasian Journal of Analytical Chemistry. 13 (4): 397–405. ISSN 1306-3057.
  7. ^ "Indonesia Predicts Slow Probe of Crashed Russian Jetliner". Retrieved 16 May 2006.
  8. ^ Jump up to: a b Manurung, Hendra (28 May 2018). "INDONESIA AND RUSSIA RELATIONS IN RESPONSE WITH CHANGING STRATEGIC ENVIRONMENT". The Impacts of Indonesia and Russia Trade Relations on Indonesia's Maritime Security.
  9. ^ "37 Unit Tank Amfibi BMP-3F Lengkapi Koleksi Korps Marinir - JPNN.com". 2014-12-01. Archived from the original on 2014-12-01. Retrieved 2021-01-26.
  10. ^ "Badan Sarana Pertahanan Kemhan RI". www.kemhan.go.id. Retrieved 2021-01-26.
  11. ^ "Indonesia buys BT-3F and BMP-3F armored vehicles from Russia | April 2019 Global Defense Security army news industry | Defense Security global news industry army 2019 | Archive News year". www.armyrecognition.com. Retrieved 2021-01-26.
  12. ^ "Kemhan Akan Ganti F-5 dengan Sukhoi SU-35". 2017-08-07. Archived from the original on 2017-08-07. Retrieved 2021-01-26.
  13. ^ "Indonesia to barter coffee, CPO for Russian jet fighters - Business - The Jakarta Post". 2017-08-04. Archived from the original on 2017-08-04. Retrieved 2021-01-26.
  14. ^ Waldron2017-08-23T07:29:12+01:00, Greg. "Value of Indonesian Su-35 buy pegged at $1.14 billion". Flight Global. Retrieved 2021-01-26.
  15. ^ "Indonesia signals progress in deal to procure Su-35s | Jane's 360". 2019-06-08. Archived from the original on 2019-06-08. Retrieved 2021-01-26.
  16. ^ "Proyek Pembelian Sukhoi Su-35 Masih Lanjut".
  17. ^ "Russian strategic bombers fly patrol mission from Indonesia". Fox News. 7 December 2017. Retrieved 9 December 2017.
  18. ^ "Russia and Indonesia hold military exercise in Papua". Radio New Zealand. 7 December 2017. Retrieved 9 December 2017.
  19. ^ "Russian military personnel arrive in Biak for navigation exercises". The Jakarta Post. Retrieved 9 December 2017.
  20. ^ Yeo, Mike (2017-12-06). "Indonesia calls Russian bombers visit part of navigation exercise". Defense News. Retrieved 2021-03-27.
  21. ^ "Tiga KRI Dan Tiga Kapal Perang Rusia Terlibat Latihan Passex Rusindo-20".
  22. ^ Zakariya; Sukristyanto, Agus; Ilahiyah, Mar’a Elthaf; Tjahjono, Endro; Riyadi, Salmet (2018-08-07). "INDONESIA-RUSSIA RELATIONSHIP (Strategy, Opportunities, and Challenges on Liberalization and Globalization)". Eurasian Journal of Analytical Chemistry. 13 (4): 397–405. ISSN 1306-3057.
  23. ^ "Kedutaan Besar Republik Indonesia di Moskow, Merangkap Republik Belarus FEDERASI RUSIA". Kementerian Luar Negeri Repulik Indonesia (in Indonesian). Retrieved 2021-03-21.
  24. ^ "Forum Bisnis Indonesia - Rusia Sepakati 13 Kerja Sama Ekonomi".
  25. ^ "Hadapi Dampak Pandemi Covid19 Indonesia Dan Rusia Sepakat Tingkatkan Kerja Sama Ekonomi Di Bidang Perdagangan Investasi Dan Industri Untuk Pemulihan Ekonomi | Portal Kementerian Luar Negeri Republik Indonesia". kemlu.go.id. Retrieved 2021-01-26.

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External links[]

  1. ^ Manurung, Hendra (30 May 2018). "INDONESIA AND RUSSIA TRADE RELATIONS: SEARCHING FOR A PROSPECTIVE STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP IN 2018". Jurnal Politica Dinamika Masalah Politik Dalam Negeri dan Hubungan Internasional. DPR RI. pp. 59–72. Retrieved 26 March 2021.
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