Abstract
Numerous studies have explored the bilateral relations between Indonesia and Türkiye in the last several decades. However, a focus on examining the two countries’ position as a middle power and their role within the landscape of global power competition has been insufficient. This paper explores the states’ middle power dynamics in navigating the increasing competition to reshape the global order. It focuses on its multilateral diplomacy and resilience against the challenges of the significant power influence in Indonesia and Türkiye’s critical stands towards the former. As two prominent middle powers with significant regional and global aspirations, Indonesia and Türkiye have historically cultivated a partnership rooted in shared interests in trade, diplomacy, and cultural exchange. However, their relationship has evolved in response to broader geo-political transformation, particularly Türkiye’s growing divergence from the Western alliance and Indonesia’s strategic balancing act amid the U.S. influence and the rise of the Peoples Republic of China (PRC/China). Through an analysis of historical milestones, contemporary geopolitical developments, and multilateral engagements, this study examines how Indonesia and Türkiye navigate the complexities of global power shifts as middle power state. It investigates how Türkiye’s critical stands towards the U.S. and its allies, driven by its pursuit of strategic autonomy and regional leadership, intersects with Indonesia’s pragmatic foreign policy approach, which seeks to balance relations with significant powers while preserving its non-aligned stance. By shedding light on the enduring nature of Indonesia-Türkiye relations, this paper contributes to a broader discussion on middle power diplomacy, the resilience of multilateralism, and the challenge of navigating global power dynamics in an increasingly multipolar world.
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