Indonesia-Belarus roadmap signals new direction for economic diplomacy

There was something different in Jakarta when Indonesia received Aleksandr Lukashenko on Thursday. Unlike previous visits by other foreign leaders, the welcome for the Belarusian president felt like more than just a diplomatic ceremony. Along Jalan Medan Merdeka Utara, hundreds of students waved the flags of both countries as Lukashenko’s car travelled towards the Merdeka Palace, escorted by 17 motorcyclists and 80 mounted troops from the Presidential Security Force’s Cavalry Battalion. Entering the palace complex, the motorcade was greeted by the Enggang Dance from East Kalimantan. The fanfare was not merely a protocol honour. Behind it lay a diplomatic process that began with President Prabowo Subianto’s meeting with Lukashenko at his private residence in Ozyorny, outside Minsk, in July last year. That meeting lasted nearly three hours. Prabowo was only the second head of state to visit the residence after its renovation, following Russian President Vladimir Putin. Lukashenko’s return visit to Indonesia was his second, after his first trip 13 years ago. This time, he was accorded the honour of staying at the State Palace, a privilege not yet extended to any other state guest. The substance of Lukashenko’s visit was the launch of the Indonesia-Belarus Cooperation Strengthening Roadmap 2026-2030, which encompasses modern agriculture, industry, trade, food security, science and technology, and human resource development. The two countries also agreed on seven priority cooperation areas through memoranda of understanding in the sectors of industry, culture, financial services between the Financial Services Authority and the National Bank of Belarus, and health. Other cooperation covers science and technology, the exchange of financial intelligence information related to money laundering and terrorism financing between the Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre and the Belarusian authority, as well as national accreditation. The broad scope of the cooperation marks the evolution of Indonesia-Belarus relations from mere trade towards a wider strategic partnership.