Foreign Minister Emphasises US Overflight Still in Discussion Phase: Sovereignty is Paramount

Foreign Minister (Menlu) Sugiono has emphasised that the issue of air cooperation between Indonesia and the United States (US) is not a blanket overflight. Sugiono clarified that the correct terminology is overflight access, which has different meanings and mechanisms.

“I think the terminology needs to be straightened out. It’s not blanket overflight; it’s overflight access,” Sugiono said to reporters at the Bina Graha building in Central Jakarta on Wednesday (22/4/2026).

According to him, the discourse is a proposal from the US side that will still go through discussion processes in line with domestic mechanisms. The government, he said, ensures that every decision remains grounded in the constitution and prioritises national interests.

“If we’re talking about overflight access, it’s an intention conveyed by the US side, which will then go through processes and discussion mechanisms. The mechanisms and so on will be in Indonesia. And I think sovereignty and national interests will certainly be the primary consideration,” he stated.

Sugiono explained that the concept of overflight access is not new in inter-state relations. Indonesia, as a country with a free and active foreign policy, is open to entering similar agreements with other countries as long as the mechanisms and implementation are clear.

“As a country with a tradition and free and active foreign policy, if similar agreements are made with other countries, there’s no problem. It’s about what the mechanisms are like and what the implementation is like,” he said.

Sugiono also refuted perceptions from some parties that view the plan as potentially dragging Indonesia into global conflicts. According to him, with the current situation, Indonesia will inevitably be affected, even if indirectly.

“So don’t perceive it as something that drags Indonesia and threatens sovereignty. With the world situation like this, Indonesia will unavoidably be impacted by whatever happens in the world,” he said.

The Gerindra Party Secretary-General added that amid global dynamics, Indonesia cannot fully detach itself from the impacts of world situations. However, the government will ensure that every foreign policy does not sacrifice sovereignty or Indonesia’s strategic position.

“So, I also convey that this government was inaugurated, elected by the people, and sworn in to uphold the constitution and all laws,” he said.

“The essence is that, first, the government has an obligation to protect the entire Indonesian nation and all of Indonesia’s homeland. There’s an aspect of sovereignty there, and then improving general welfare. So, I don’t see it as dragging Indonesia into global conflicts,” Sugiono continued.