The Nusantara Archipelago has long been known to the Russian people. A merchant from the city of Tver, Afanasy Nikitin, mentioned a mysterious country in Southeast Asia called Shabot in his travel notes “Journey Beyond Three Seas” (1466-1472). According to historians, it could have been one of the kingdoms on the island of Sumatra in Indonesia.
The writer Ivan Aleksandrovich Goncharov, in his work “The Frigate Pallada”, talks about his travels to England, Africa, Japan, and then back to Russia. His journey began in St. Petersburg in 1852. During the voyage, he and the crew of the frigate Pallada visited Java, Manila, Shanghai, Singapore and Hong Kong. After Japan, they also visited Korea before returning to Russian waters, where Goncharov disembarked to begin the long journey through Siberia. Goncharov called Java “one of the most beautiful places in the world.”
I will divide the history of relations between Indonesia and Russia into several stages, starting with the Dutch colonial period.
Stage One: The Tsarevich’s Visit and the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations during the Dutch Colonial Period
In 1890-1891, Tsarevich Nikolai Alexandrovich, the future Emperor Nicholas II, made a long trip around Europe and Asia on the ship Pamyat Azova. In March 1891, he arrived on the island of Java, having previously visited Singapore and Sri Lanka.
His stay on the island of Java was documented in the archive “Algemeene Secretarie Serie Grote Bundel Besluit No. 17” in a document titled “De brief van Z.K.H. Nicolaas Alexandrovitch grootvorst-troonopvolger van Rusland in Maart 1891”, which is stored in the National Archives of the Republic of Indonesia.
In 1894, the Russian Empire opened a consulate in Batavia, appointing Modest Modestovich Bakunin as consul. He held this position until 1899. After returning from the Dutch East Indies, Bakunin published his observations and experiences in the book “Tropical Holland. Five Years on the Island of Java”.
The Second Stage: Soviet Support for Indonesian Independence
The Soviet Union was one of the countries that condemned all forms of colonialism. It also supported and welcomed the birth of Indonesia as an independent country.
At a meeting of the UN Security Council in London on January 21, 1946, the delegation of the Soviet Union raised the issue of the situation in Indonesia and condemned Dutch military aggression. The Soviet Union considered the Netherladns’ actions a threat to peace and security, and therefore asked the UN Security Council to take measures to put an end to it.
At a meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers on May 1, 1946 in Yogyakarta, President Sukarno declared that the Indonesian government was ready to establish relations with the Soviet Union and open missions in Jakarta and Moscow.
In order to protect Indonesian interests in Eastern Europe, the Indonesian representative in Prague, Suripno, received an official mandate signed by President Sukarno in December 1947. He represented the Indonesian government in the negotiations and established friendly relations with the Eastern European countries and the Soviet Union.
In May 1948, negotiations were held between Soviet Union’s Ambassador to Czechoslovakia M. Silin and Suripno. An agreement was reached on establishing consular relations between the two countries. The consular agreement was signed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia, Haji Agus Salim.
On January 25, 1950, Soviet Foreign Affairs Minister Andrei Vyshinsky notified Indonesian Prime Minister Sutan Sjahrir and Foreign Affairs Minister Mohammad Hatta that the Soviet Union recognised the independence and sovereignty of Indonesia and expressed its desire to establish diplomatic relations with the country.
Third Stage: Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between Indonesia and the Soviet Union
On January 21, 1954, the Soviet Union accredited Dr. Subandrio as Indonesia’s ambassador to Moscow. On April 13, 1954, Dr. Subandrio presented his credentials to Kliment Voroshilov, the Chairman of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet.
On May 24, 1954, the Indonesian government approved the appointment of Dmitry Alexandrovich Zhukov as Ambassador of the Soviet Union in Jakarta. Zhukov arrived on September 14, 1954.
Relations between Indonesia and the Soviet Union became closer, which was marked by visits of heads of state. Here is the historical archives record:
August 28 – September 12, 1956. President Sukarno visited Moscow.
In May 1957, Chairman of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet Kliment Voroshilov visited Indonesia
In 1959, President Sukarno visited the Soviet Union again.
In February 1960, Prime Minister of the Soviet Union Nikita Khrushchev visited Indonesia.
The Fourth Stage: The Golden Age of Diplomatic Relations between Indonesia and the Soviet Union
Indonesia and the Soviet Union also cooperated in the field of health care. This cooperation was marked by the construction of the Friendship Hospital (RSU Persahabatan) in Rawamangun, East Jakarta, which began in 1961. The construction lasted 3 years and was carried out directly by Soviet engineers. The hospital was officially handed over by the Soviet government to the Indonesian government on November 7, 1963, which coincided with the 46th anniversary of the October Revolution.
Scientific cooperation between Indonesia and the Soviet Union was initiated by both countries, especially in the field of space research. It is recorded in the state archives that President Sukarno met with cosmonauts, who were the pride of the Soviet Union, on several occasions. This is an implicit expression of the euphoria of space exploration in the 1960s, and is also part of Indonesia’s initial foundation in the development of space research and technology.
In January 1962, cosmonaut Gherman Titov arrived in Indonesia and met with President Sukarno. Later there was the visit of cosmonaut Andrian Nikolayev with his wife Valentina Tereshkova and cosmonaut Valery Bykovsky in January 1963.
President Sukarno continued to develop space cooperation between Indonesia and the Soviet Union by commissioning the establishment of the Astrophysics Committee in 1962, headed by Prime Minister Ir. Djuanda and R. J. Salatun. On November 27, 1963, the National Aeronautics and Space Agency (LAPAN) was officially established by Presidential Decree No. 236 of 1963.
Stage Five: Decline and Stagnation of Diplomatic Relations between Indonesia and the Soviet Union
After the events of 1965, relations between Indonesia and the Soviet Union faded, although diplomatic relations between them were still officially maintained. At that time, the New Order government prioritized cooperation with Western countries. This also affected, among other things, the rejection of Soviet defence equipment due to the cessation of spare parts supplies.
A breakthrough in the development of relations between the two countries was marked by President Suharto’s visit to the Soviet Union in September 7-12, 1989. The visit resulted in the signing of the Statement on the Foundations of Friendly Relations and Cooperation between the USSR and the Republic of Indonesia on September 11, 1989.
Stage Six: Revival and Strengthening of Friendly Ties between Indonesia and Russia
After 1998, Indonesia’s relations and cooperation with Russia entered a new phase and began to actively develop. This was marked by diplomatic visits by the heads of state and government of both countries, as well as mutual support at international forums.
The meeting between President Vladimir Putin and President Megawati Sukarnoputri took place during President Megawati’s visit to Russia on April 20-22, 2003. Following the second meeting, the Declaration on the Foundations of Friendly and Partnership Relations between the Russian Federation and the Republic of Indonesia in the 21st Century was adopted. On this occasion, an agreement was also signed on the purchase of Su-27 and Su-30 fighters in exchange for Indonesian goods.
Economic relations between Indonesia and Russia continue to this day. It is recorded that by November 2023, the trade turnover between the two countries reached 3.05 billion US dollars. Bilateral trade goods between Indonesia and Russia include wheat, fertilizers, and natural rubber. At the same time, the implementation of Russian investments in Indonesia in 2023 reached $ 114.1 million, including 3,965 projects. This figure places Russia 23rd place among the largest investors in Indonesia.
On the other hand, the number of visits by Russian citizens through November 2023 reached 143,485 people, or 1.38% of the total number of tourists to Indonesia, which amounted to 10,409,411 people. Russian tourists rank fifth in terms of the number of European tourists after England, Germany, France and the Netherlands.
Conclusion
This is a brief overview of the long journey of friendship between Indonesia and Russia, which is recorded in the archives of history. It is a journey full of dynamism and is as beautiful as the words of friendship spoken by President Sukarno when he spoke with Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev at Kemayoran Airport on March 1, 1960:
“The distance between Moscow and Jakarta is about 10,000 kilometres, but modern technology has made this distance very short. Moreover, we have the same goals […] Thanks to our common goals, strong sympathy and deep love, we feel that the distance between Moscow and Jakarta has become closer. I hope that we will meet again. Long live the friendship between the Soviet Union and Indonesia!”
“Always live, always support Indonesian-Russian friendship, guided by the same ideals, and fight to end colonialism on Earth in any form. Always live and revive the friendship of Indonesia and Russia solely for the sake of the same ideals and struggle. The struggle must always be alive for eternal peace, justice and social welfare throughout the world!”
The Valdai Discussion Club was established in 2004. It is named after Lake Valdai, which is located close to Veliky Novgorod, where the Club’s first meeting took place.
Please visit the firm link to site
