Elizabeth Manalu
The Significance of Diplomacy Infrastructure
Indonesia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs Strategic Plan (RENSTRA KEMLU) 2020-2024 primary focus is the 4+1 Priority. These priorities consist of strengthening economic diplomacy, diplomacy, protection, sovereignty, and nationality diplomacy, increasing Indonesia’s contribution and leadership in the region and the world, and strengthening diplomatic infrastructure (Kementerian Luar Negeri Indonesia, 2019). Indonesia’s diplomacy infrastructure must always adapt according to the fluctuating nature of global politics while maintaining targets according to the vision and mission of Indonesia’s diplomacy priorities. Diplomacy infrastructure encompasses all the resources, facilities, and frameworks associated with executing diplomacy and international relations. The availability of diplomacy infrastructure is crucial for advancing Indonesia’s foreign policy objectives. This infrastructure includes reforming bureaucratic processes, enhancing human resource quality, creating physical diplomatic facilities, promoting technology and informatics usage, and advancing digital transformation (Kementerian Luar Negeri Indonesia, 2024).
Embassies are one of Indonesia’s physical diplomatic facilities. According to information from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, there are a total of 131 representatives from the Republic of Indonesia, with 38 of them holding concurrent positions in various regions (Kementerian Luar Negeri Indonesia, 2024). For instance, the representative in Cuba also covers the Commonwealth of the Bahamas, the Dominican Republic, the Republic of Haiti, and Jamaica (Kementerian Luar Negeri Indonesia, 2024). Indonesia has the potential to enhance its influence towards states that are included in the concurrent embassies with a smart diplomacy framework. In addition, this potential can also be utilized due to the specific trade growth between small states which are included in concurrent embassies throughout 2024 (Pusat Data Dan Sistem Informasi Kementerian Perdagangan Republik, 2024). Hence, the smart diplomacy in question is whether the concurrent Indonesian Embassy is present for other countries that are represented, or is only active in the host country.
The smart diplomacy in question is whether the concurrent Indonesian Embassy is present for other countries that are represented, or is only active in the host country.
Challenges to Optimize the Functioning of Embassy
However, concurrent Indonesian embassies encounter several challenges. Embassies operating under dual mandates may struggle with limited resources, impacting their capacity to effectively address the goals of both Indonesia and the smaller nations they represent. For instance, in host countries, the Indonesian Embassy frequently conducts cultural, educational, and economic cooperation. In the area of cultural cooperation, Indonesia frequently holds cultural events in the countries represented by the Indonesian Embassy. However, these activities are typically conducted more in the host country, such as diplomatic reception during independence day and awarding of Kemitraan Negara Berkembang (KNB) scholarships (Kementerian Luar Negeri Indonesia, 2024).
Furthermore, the priorities of Indonesia and the smaller states represented by multiple embassies can occasionally be misaligned, leading to competing interests and potential conflicts, which may result in reduced interaction. For instance, the Indonesian embassy in Fiji also holds concurrent positions with Kiribati, Nauru, Tuvalu. These Pacific nations and civil societies frame the West Papua issue within the concept of “human rights” and norms of “self-determination,” representing the Solidarist strand (Rosyidin et al. 2022). In order to promote peaceful interaction with the Pacific, Indonesia must be open to diplomatic talks regarding resolving the West Papua conflict and demonstrate its intentions to develop good relations by committing to transparency regarding said conflict.
Smart Diplomacy as a Framework to Enhance Indonesia’s Diplomacy Infrastructure
To stay in tune with emerging global trends, smaller nations need to cultivate a diplomatic strategy that is professional, cost-efficient, and unconventional, which is commonly known as “smart” diplomacy. The creation of a two-pronged service—a network that can advance a nation’s interests and the idea that can function as a soft tool on its own, a specialised capacity in the field of diplomacy—is what smart diplomacy comprises (Hare, Manfredi-Sánchez, and Weisbrode 2023). This method emphasises the distinctiveness of each nation, focuses on targeted efforts, and concentrates on policy domains that hold considerable importance and potential for immediate gain. These elements are the core principles of smart diplomacy.
1. Prioritization and Concentration
Despite several challenges mentioned above, Indonesia still has the opportunity to enhance its diplomatic infrastructure by embracing the principles of smart diplomacy due to its nation’s size and constraints within the concurrent embassies. Initially, Indonesia should prioritise and concentrate its efforts. It is essential for Indonesia to clearly outline its main objectives and consider specialising in specific areas that align its interests with those of smaller nations, facilitating more focused initiatives for enhanced effectiveness.
- Cultivating Strategic Partnerships
Next, Indonesia needs to cultivate strategic partnerships. Establishing robust connections with vital stakeholders in the host country, such as government officials, businesses, and civil society organisations, is crucial for Indonesia to build trust and exert influence in smaller countries where its embassy operates.
- Leveraging Diplomatic Avenues
Indonesia can also leverage diplomatic avenues to promote the interests of both itself and small states in bilateral and multilateral settings. It should take a more proactive approach in incorporating small nations under its embassy’s jurisdiction into these discussions, ensuring their alignment with Indonesia’s initiative agendas.
Indonesia via its embassies can also assist in improving the diplomatic skills of smaller nations within the concurrent embassy’s area of responsibility, thus bolstering their capacity to promote their own interests.
- Boosting Trades Through the Establishment of ITPCs
Furthermore, based on the Ministry of Trade report, in 2024 there’s increased trade activities between Indonesia with small states within concurrent embassies such as Jamaica and Guatemala (Pusat Data Dan Sistem Informasi Kementerian Perdagangan Republik, 2024). Indonesia has the opportunity to boost trade with these states. An increase in trade with these nations presents a chance for Indonesia to enhance its diplomatic support infrastructure. If launching new embassies isn’t practical, it might be more beneficial to bolster the presence of Indonesian Trade Promotion Centers (ITPCs) in certain areas, which offer a more cost-effective solution.
- Engaging Diaspora Abroad
Smart diplomacy also promotes the engagement of the diaspora. The Indonesian diaspora, which is found worldwide, represents a valuable yet underutilised resource for enhancing diplomatic infrastructure. Indonesia could begin by creating a comprehensive database of its diaspora members. Such a network could prove to be a substantial asset for the government in identifying potential ambassadors, trade representatives, and cultural envoys with high promise.
In light of these findings, a clear path forward is evident. By adopting the proposed policies according to the smart diplomacy concept, Indonesia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs can increase its diplomacy infrastructure. While challenges may persist, a proactive and strategic approach can mitigate risks and maximise benefits. Continued monitoring and evaluation will be crucial to ensure the effectiveness of these policies.
References
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