JAKARTA

In a bold statement during his recent visit to Washington, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto affirmed his commitment to protecting Indonesia's sovereignty in the contentious South China Sea. "We will always safeguard our sovereignty," he declared, underscoring the importance of partnerships over conflicts.

These comments underscore Indonesia's delicate balancing act in the region, especially amid ongoing tensions between China and various Southeast Asian countries over overlapping territorial claims. President Prabowo emphasized, “We respect all powers, but my preference is to pursue possibilities of partnership,” signaling a desire for cooperative relationships rather than adversarial encounters.

Notably, his remarks come in the wake of a maritime agreement signed with China just days prior. While Indonesia is a key player in asserting its rights in its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), the agreement sparked concerns within the country regarding Beijing's expansive claims that challenge Indonesia's territorial integrity.

China continues to assert its dominance in the South China Sea, claiming almost the entirety of the waters based on a controversial "nine-dash line." This claim has been met with resistance from several Southeast Asian nations, including Indonesia, which historically has not considered itself a claimant state in the region.

President Prabowo’s first international engagement since assuming office included a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, where both leaders discussed the implications of their recent maritime deal. Several analysts have interpreted this agreement as a potential shift in Indonesia's long-standing position, raising alarms about the potential dilution of its rights to natural resources within its EEZ.

During his trip, President Prabowo also held discussions with U.S. President Joe Biden about the South China Sea, emphasizing the importance of maintaining Indonesia's stance amidst international pressure and conflicting claims over the strategic waterway.

As tensions in the region escalate, President Prabowo is set to further engage with other world leaders at the upcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Peru and the G20 summit in Brazil. His administration's focus on a non-aligned foreign policy may shape Indonesia’s regional strategy as it navigates the complex geopolitical landscape of the South China Sea.