Indonesia has never leaned toward one particular bloc in response to global geopolitical and geomaritime challenges, governor of the National Resilience Institute (Lemhannas), Andi Widjajanto, has said.

“We are never being caught up to take a position and be part of one particular (geopolitical) bloc,” Widjajanto affirmed at the 6th Jakarta Geopolitical Forum here on Wednesday.

Indonesia has never felt obliged to be part of one particular bloc as its free and active foreign policy has encouraged the country to seek options to prevent the polarization of the global community into two opposing blocs, he added.

“Whether during the Cold War between the United States and the Soviet Union, or today when the United States has risen as a single superpower, we need to seek other options to accentuate our national interests,” he said.

Indonesia often heeds more than one doctrine and implements them concurrently, he noted, adding that while pursuing a free and active foreign policy, the nation also abides by ASEAN consensus in the Southeast Asian region and offers technical and functional solutions to address international issues.

President Joko Widodo’s (Jokowi’s) recent visit to Ukraine and Russia — which are at war with each other — has highlighted his commitment to prioritizing technical and functional solutions for resolving conflicts, Widjajanto pointed out.

During the visit, the President offered options for peace that the leaders of the warring countries could pursue to end the conflict, he added.

“We also offered other technical and functional options as a solution (to existing issues), and President Joko Widodo offered (solutions) to anticipate the food crisis, particularly on the wheat supply aspect, to ensure that the commodity can be exported during the harvest season in Ukraine,” he said.

Source: Antara News