Afghanistan–Indonesia relations

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Afghan–Indonesian relations
Map indicating locations of Afghanistan and Indonesia

Afghanistan
Indonesia
Diplomatic mission
Afghan Embassy, JakartaIndonesian Embassy, Kabul

Afghanistan and Indonesia established diplomatic relations on 20 May 1950.[1] The relationship is mostly founded on common religious solidarity, as Indonesia is the world's most populous Muslim majority country, and Afghanistan is also a Muslim-majority country. Indonesia has expressed its commitment to support and assist the rebuilding of Post-Taliban Afghanistan in various sectors, including technical training, infrastructure, women's empowerment, higher education, and diplomat training.[2] Indonesia has an embassy in Kabul, while Afghanistan has an embassy in Jakarta. Both nations are full members of Non-Aligned Movement and Organisation of Islamic Cooperation.

History[edit]

Afghanistan was among the early countries that recognized the Republic of Indonesia after the revolution ended in 1949. Afghanistan and Indonesia officially established diplomatic relations on 20 May 1950. In 1954, Afghanistan established its embassy in Jakarta.[3] The first treaty of friendship between Afghanistan and Indonesia was signed on April 24, 1955.[citation needed]

Popular opinion in Indonesia condemned the 1979 Soviet invasion in Afghanistan. In solidarity, Indonesia took part in 1980 Summer Olympics boycott.

On November 10, 2012, a new treaty of friendship was signed to promotes cooperation in political, economic, trade, academic, education, and cultural sectors. To assist Afghanistan in the education sector and capacity buildings, Indonesia agreed to recruiting more Afghan students to study in Indonesian universities, training Afghan teachers and lecturers, and training the Afghan national police in public order, traffic management, and criminal investigation.[4]

State visits[edit]

Joko Widodo with Afghan president Ghani in 2018

Indonesia's first president Sukarno visited Afghanistan in 1961.[3] In November 2012, Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai visited Indonesia to attend the fifth Bali Democracy Forum (BDF) in Nusa Dua, Bali.[5] In January 2018, Indonesian president Joko Widodo visited Afghanistan.[6]

Illegal immigrants[edit]

After the US-led war in Afghanistan, Indonesia faces tides of Afghan illegal immigrant problems. Afghanistan refugees fled the turmoil in their country, using Indonesia as a stepping-stone in their efforts to reach Australia. Over the years, scores of Afghan illegal migrants were caught and detented in Indonesia, some has been repatriated back to Afghanistan.[7] Afghanistan is included in Indonesia's immigration red list. Because of security reasons, Afghanistan is among 13 countries whose citizens are required to provide specific documents to enter Indonesia.[8]

Status after 2021 Fall of Kabul and Reopening[edit]

In aftermath of Fall of Kabul, former vice president Jusuf Kalla believed that Indonesia will not sever the diplomatic connection between Indonesia and Afghanistan. He cited the past noting that Indonesia had not severed ties with Afghanistan even during the previous Taliban rule from 1996 to 2001, adding that the Indonesian embassy was still active at the time. Indonesia still maintained the relationship onwards from the Taliban's initial downfall up to the end of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan.[9] On 16 August 2021, following the fall of Kabul, the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a notification stating that the ministry is analyzing situation, preparing an evacuation plan of Indonesian citizens and embassy staff, and relegating operations at the embassy itself to a "limited essential level."[10] On 20 August 2021, the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs along with the Indonesian Air Forces evacuated the Indonesian citizens and embassy staff out from Kabul.[11][12][13]

On the occasion of Indonesian Independence Day, the Taliban government, through its spokesperson, Suhail Syahidin, issued messages congratulating Indonesia. He claimed that what the Taliban did in ousting the previous government is similar to what Indonesia did in expelling occupying forces in the past. He also assured that the Taliban government will protect all foreigners, including Indonesian citizens in Afghanistan.[14]

Indonesian constitutional experts have urged the Indonesian government to not hastily recognize Afghanistan under the Taliban government as they deemed the transfer of power to have taken place without constitutional means. These concerns were voiced on 17 August 2021 and were formalized with a statement by the Commission of Constitutional Studies of People's Consultative Assembly three days later. A similar stance was taken against Myanmar under the military junta in aftermath of the 2021 Myanmar coup d'état. On 25 August 2021, Regional Representative Council also issued the same statement.[15][16][17]

On 26 August 2021, Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi met Taliban officials and representatives in Qatar. In the meeting, she urged to her Taliban counterpart to (1) ensure stability and prosperity of Afghanistan, (2) formation of inclusive government, (3) maintaining respect, dignities, and basic rights to Afghanistan women.[18]

Since 21 August 2021, Indonesian Embassy in Kabul had been closed for security reasons. Currently, activities and services for Afghanistan affairs for Indonesia are performed by Indonesian Embassy in Pakistan at Islamabad. From all staff in former Indonesian Embassy in Kabul, only 4 staff left and now stationed at Islamabad, with one charge d'affaires leading the diplomatic mission to maintain Indonesia-Afghanistan relations.[19][20]

Indonesia reopened its embassy in Kabul on 14 February 2022. Despite the embassy reopening, the Indonesian government remained not acknowledging Taliban government.[21]

External links[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ British Documents on Foreign Affairs--reports and Papers from the Foreign Office Confidential Print: Afghanistan, Persia, Turkey and Iraq, January 1950-December 1950. University Publications of America. 1999. p. 31. Retrieved 7 November 2023.
  2. ^ Desy Nurhayati (November 10, 2012). "Indonesia, Afghanistan invigorate relationship". The Jakarta Post. Retrieved 12 June 2013.
  3. ^ a b Khairisa Ferida (15 August 2012). "Dubes Afghanistan: Hubungan RI-Afghanistan Penuh Sejarah". Okezone.com (in Indonesian). Archived from the original on 15 June 2013. Retrieved 12 June 2013.
  4. ^ "Afghanistan, Indonesia relations to be expanded". Bakhtar News. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 12 June 2013.
  5. ^ Jawad, Sayed (7 November 2012). "President Karzai to sign five pacts with Indonesia". Khaama Press. Retrieved 30 January 2018.
  6. ^ "Jokowi arrives in Kabul as city on high alert". The Jakarta Post. 29 January 2018. Retrieved 30 January 2018.
  7. ^ "Indonesia: Gov't claims it is unable to stem tide of illegals". Illegal Immigration News. May 18, 2009. Archived from the original on 13 January 2019. Retrieved 12 June 2013.
  8. ^ Nani Afrida (December 15, 2011). "Afghanistan and Indonesia to strengthen relationship". The Jakarta Post. Retrieved 12 June 2013.
  9. ^ Yahya, Achmad Nasrudin (2021-08-16). "Taliban Kembali Berkuasa, JK Optimistis Indonesia Tak Putus Hubungan Diplomatik dengan Afghanistan". KOMPAS.com (in Indonesian). Retrieved 2021-08-17.
  10. ^ Kementerian Luar Negeri (2021-08-16). "Pernyataan Pemerintah Indonesia Atas Perkembangan Situasi Di Afghanistan | Portal Kementerian Luar Negeri Republik Indonesia". Kementerian Luar Negeri (in Indonesian). Retrieved 2021-08-17.
  11. ^ Nadira, Fergi (2021-08-20). "Pemerintah RI Berhasil Evakuasi WNI dan Staf KBRI dari Kabul". Republika Online (in Indonesian). Retrieved 2021-08-20.
  12. ^ Andriyanto, Heru (2021-08-20). "Indonesia Evakuasi Staf Kedutaan dan 2 Warga Afghanistan". beritasatu.com (in Indonesian). Retrieved 2021-08-20.
  13. ^ Erwanti, Marlinda Oktavia. "Pemerintah RI Berhasil Evakuasi WNI dari Afghanistan!". detiknews (in Indonesian). Retrieved 2021-08-20.
  14. ^ Suhardiman (2021-08-17). "Selamat HUT RI, Taliban: Kemenangan Kami Seperti Keberhasilan Indonesia..." suara.com (in Indonesian). Retrieved 2021-08-27.
  15. ^ Iswinarno, Chandra (2021-08-17). "Pemerintah Indonesia Diminta Tidak Tergesa Mengakui Rezim Taliban di Afghanistan". suara.com (in Indonesian). Retrieved 2021-08-27.
  16. ^ detikcom, Tim (2021-08-20). "Komisi Ketatanegaraan MPR: RI Tak Perlu Akui Pemerintahan Taliban". detiknews (in Indonesian). Retrieved 2021-08-27.
  17. ^ Khoirunnissa, Jihaan (2021-08-25). "RI Diminta Jangan Dulu Akui Kekuasaan Taliban di Afghanistan". detiknews (in Indonesian). Retrieved 2021-08-27.
  18. ^ Aditya, Nicholas Ryan (2021-09-02). "Kepada Taliban, Menlu Retno Sampaikan Indonesia Ingin Afghanistan Damai, Stabil, Makmur Halaman all". KOMPAS.com (in Indonesian). Retrieved 2021-09-02.
  19. ^ Wiratno, Yudho (2021-08-21). "Operasi KBRI Kabul Afghanistan sementara dilakukan di Islamabad Pakistan". kontan.co.id (in Indonesian). Retrieved 2021-10-10.
  20. ^ Latifa, Shella (2021-08-22). "Pengamat Intelijen Sayangkan KBRI Kabul Dipindahkan ke Islamabad: Agak Tergesa-gesa". Tribunnews.com (in Indonesian). Retrieved 2021-10-10.
  21. ^ Media, Kompas Cyber (2022-02-14). "Indonesia Kembali Lakukan Misi Diplomatik di Afghanistan". KOMPAS.com (in Indonesian). Retrieved 2023-03-15.
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