Indonesia's Foreign Policy: From "Non-Alignment" to "Multi-Alignment"

Multi-alignment is not an entirely new concept. Jakarta (ANTARA) - Changes in foreign policy more often emerge through the accumulation of small decisions that then shape a new policy direction. In the Indonesian context, this policy direction is beginning to become evident from the way the country manages relations with various major powers today. One example is Indonesia’s cooperation with the United States (US) in the defence sector through the Major Defense Cooperation Partnership (MDCP) scheme. Such cooperation is no longer limited to the symbolic level but is starting to touch on aspects of interoperability, capacity enhancement, and deeper strategic trust. In the context of global rivalry, dimensions like this are almost always read as geopolitical signals, not merely technical defence matters. For a long time, Indonesia has been synonymous with the principle of non-alignment or non-bloc, a position born from historical experience and the need to safeguard sovereignty amid the pull and tug of global powers. This principle is not merely a political choice but also a reflection of Indonesia’s objective condition as a newly independent nation at that time. Nevertheless, the principle of non-alignment is essentially not static but adaptive to changes in the international context. In the early phase of Indonesia’s independence, this principle served as a defensive mechanism to avoid domination by major powers in a polarised international system. In its development, this function then transformed. This is reflected in Indonesia’s increasing participation in various international forums, showing that non-alignment cannot be equated with passivity. On the contrary, it enables active engagement that is carefully controlled. As we enter the post-Cold War era, the global structure has undergone significant changes. The world is no longer divided into two clear blocs, nor has it immediately become a stable system. Instead, new complexities have emerged. Major powers still exist, but the patterns of their interactions have become more fluid. Alliances are not always permanent, and interests often shift. In such conditions, the classic non-alignment strategy is beginning to face limitations. Merely keeping distance from the dynamics of major power rivalries is no longer sufficient to secure national interests. Indonesia appears to be responding to these limitations. Of course, without abandoning the old principle, but by reinterpreting it. This is where the embryo of multi-alignment begins to appear. This approach is not merely a form of caution but also a strategy to remain relevant in an increasingly competitive and uncertain international system. Not a new concept.