Indonesia’s Middle-Power Momentum in a Turbulent World

At his official residence, just before the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KADIN) leadership flew to Magelang for their annual retreat, President Prabowo Subianto delivered a message that cuts to the core of our nation’s diplomatic and economic identity. He reaffirmed a principle that has long guided our foreign policy, to be a neighbour to all.

This is not simply a political posture. It is the expression of Indonesia’s deep-rooted identity as a non-aligned nation, one that values cooperation over confrontation, dialogue over division. Our strategic location at the crossroads of the Indo-Pacific gives us both a responsibility and an opportunity, to act as a bridge between global powers while safeguarding our own independence.

The President’s words come amid a time of global turbulence, with geopolitical conflicts, trade rivalries, and supply chain disruptions reshaping the global order. Yet, Indonesia has shown remarkable resilience. In the past year, our economy grew by 5.1%, outperforming many peers and demonstrating that stability and steady progress are still achievable in uncertain times.

As a middle-power country, Indonesia’s role goes beyond its own borders. We are an active contributor to peacekeeping, a voice of moderation in multilateral forums, and a potential economic balancer in an increasingly polarized world.

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For this vision to succeed, the partnership between government and the private sector is crucial. Anindya Bakrie, Chairman of KADIN, captured this spirit when he stated that Indonesia’s business community will seize this moment of opportunity to accelerate growth and create wealth for the nation.

The President’s address at his residence served as a rallying call, a reminder that diplomacy and commerce are two sides of the same coin. As KADIN’s leadership made their way to Magelang, they carried with them not just an agenda for business, but a shared national mission: to turn Indonesia’s geopolitical advantages into sustainable prosperity, while staying true to our values of openness, balance, and cooperation with all.

In a volatile world, these principles are not just ideals, they are the keys to ensuring that Indonesia’s rise as a middle power is both peaceful and prosperous.