The Key Foreign Policy Players of Prabowo’s Presidency
- Noto Suoneto
- Dec 28, 2025
- 4 min read
Four years ago, in The Diplomat, one of the world’s most prominent international outlets for foreign policy observers, I wrote about how Prabowo Subianto, then serving as President Joko Widodo’s defense minister, helped shape Indonesia’s foreign policy. I argued that alongside figures such as Retno Marsudi and Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, Prabowo played an increasingly influential role, particularly through defense diplomacy and the diversification of Indonesia’s security partnerships.
At the time, the argument rested on Prabowo’s activism as defense minister and how his approach to security cooperation could influence Indonesia’s foreign policy beyond the traditionally dominant economic diplomacy led by other key ministers. Four years on, Prabowo Subianto is no longer merely a foreign policy actor—he is the President.
One year into his presidency, Prabowo has emerged as Indonesia’s de facto chief diplomat. Although Sugiono formally holds the title of foreign minister, Prabowo’s global visibility and direct engagement with foreign leaders have positioned him as the central figure in Indonesia’s international diplomacy. This is not surprising. Recently in the public conversation, concerns about the foreign minister’s relatively low public profile have only reinforced the perception that foreign policy is being driven directly from the presidential palace.
Indeed, President Prabowo’s international travel during his first year in office has been exceptional. He has appeared at major global events and ceremonies across multiple continents, from China and France to India and beyond. Indonesia, under Prabowo, is visibly present on the world stage.
Yet, Indonesia’s foreign relations cannot be managed by presidential activism alone. Global diplomacy is far too complex and expansive to be centralized in a single office. Effective foreign policy requires a supporting cast of ministers, envoys, and technocrats. This article therefore examines the key foreign policy players shaping Indonesia’s diplomacy under Prabowo’s presidency.
Economic Diplomacy: Airlangga Hartarto
In the realm of economic relations, Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto remains indispensable. He plays a central role in managing Indonesia’s engagement in multilateral economic negotiations and bilateral trade agreements. His portfolio includes Indonesia’s accession process to the OECD, the conclusion of Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) negotiations with Canada and the European Union, and Indonesia’s positioning within ASEAN-led economic frameworks.
Airlangga is among the most seasoned economic ministers in Southeast Asia. With over a decade of experience, he brings institutional memory and negotiating credibility, even when Indonesia faces difficult external pressures—such as recent tariff challenges under President Donald Trump’s renewed trade assertiveness.
Investment Diplomacy: Rosan Roeslani
Investment diplomacy is spearheaded by Investment Minister Rosan Roeslani, who also serves as CEO of Danantara, Indonesia’s sovereign investment platform. In his dual role, Rosan acts as the primary interlocutor for global investors seeking opportunities in Indonesia.
As head of investment policy, his mandate is to attract foreign direct investment. As CEO of Danantara, he oversees the strategic deployment of state capital derived from SOE dividends and assets. These roles are designed to be complementary: one brings capital in, the other ensures it is strategically allocated.
Rosan has been highly active internationally, engaging investors across Europe, the Middle East, East Asia, and the United States. While investment promotion may appear technical, it is deeply political, entangled with domestic regulatory reform, geopolitical competition, and global economic uncertainty. In this sense, investment diplomacy is an increasingly important component of Indonesia’s broader foreign policy.
Security and Defense: Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin
In security and defense relations, Minister of Defense Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin occupies a pivotal position. His long-standing personal ties with President Prabowo make him a heavyweight actor in shaping Indonesia’s expanding security partnerships.
Sjafrie has been actively engaging counterparts from key strategic partners, including the United States, Australia, and China. This reflects a broader strategy often attributed to Prabowo: diversifying security partnerships to reduce dependence on any single power. Sjafrie’s role is central to operationalizing this approach.
The Foreign Ministry: Sugiono
Formally, Foreign Minister Sugiono remains Indonesia’s chief diplomat, responsible for the full spectrum of bilateral, regional, and multilateral diplomacy. However, his tenure has come under scrutiny, particularly for what some perceive as a lack of public articulation of Indonesia’s global positions to domestic audiences.
Defenders argue that Sugiono’s lower profile reflects a deliberate choice, given that foreign policy is highly centralized under the president. Others counter that Indonesia requires a more visibly assertive foreign minister, especially as diplomatic challenges grow more complex.
What is evident, however, is a clearer division of labor within the Foreign Ministry itself, with vice ministers focusing separately on economic diplomacy, multilateral affairs, and engagement with the Islamic world. Just also recently, the new Directorate General of Economic Diplomacy is established, giving a hope that Foreign Ministry will be more active in channeling more economic partnerships and deliverables through diplomatic tools and platforms, coordinating with other relevant ministries and agencies.
Special Envoys and Advisors
Beyond cabinet ministers, several individuals play influential sectoral roles. Mari Elka Pangestu, the president’s advisor on international trade and multilateral affairs, has been instrumental in ASEAN’s Geo-Economic Task Force. This initiative aims to mitigate the impact of renewed trade protectionism and coordinate regional responses to trade wars and geoeconomic fragmentation. Her prominent presence and substantial contribution is undoubtedly positive for Indonesia amidst the current climate.
Another notable figure is Hashim Djojohadikusumo, the president’s younger brother, who serves as Indonesia’s Special Envoy for Climate and Energy. Hashim has represented Indonesia at major global forums such as COP meetings and UN Climate Week, promoting Indonesia’s green growth agenda, carbon market development, and energy transition strategies. His proximity with President is perceived as a strong modality in understanding President Prabowo’s direction in this particular space.
To close, Indonesia’s diplomacy active since independence, depends not only on presidential leadership but also on strong institutions and capable individuals. Inter-agency coordination has long been a challenge in Indonesian governance, and critiques of institutional misalignment with presidential diplomacy should be taken constructively.
Indonesia’s global commitments must be supported by officials who not only accompany the president abroad but also implement what is agreed upon once they return home. As the saying goes, diplomacy begins at home and it is at home that Indonesia’s foreign policy must ultimately deliver.
This article written by Noto Suoneto, Founder of Foreign Policy Talks.
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