Afghanistan–Indonesia relations

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Afghan–Indonesian relations
Afghanistan Indonesia Locator.svg
Flag of Afghanistan (2013-2021).svg
Afghanistan
Flag of Indonesia.svg
Indonesia
Diplomatic mission
Afghan Embassy, Jakarta Indonesian 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.

Contents

History

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

Joko Widodo with Afghan president Ghani in 2018 Jokowi Ashraf Gani 2018.jpg
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

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

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]

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Indonesians</span> Citizens or people of Indonesia

Indonesians are citizens or people who are identified with the country of Indonesia, regardless of their ethnic or religious background. There are more than 1,300 ethnicities in Indonesia, making it a multicultural archipelagic country with a diversity of languages, culture and religious beliefs. The population of Indonesia according to the 2020 national census was 270.2 million. 56% live on the island of Java, the world's most populous island. Around 95% of Indonesians are Native Indonesians, with 40% Javanese and 15% Sundanese forming the majority, while the other 5% are Indonesians with ancestry from foreign origin, such as Arab Indonesians, Chinese Indonesians, Indian Indonesians, and Indos.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Indonesian passport</span> Passport of the Republic of Indonesia issued to Indonesian citizens

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Indonesia)</span> Indonesian ministry

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On 15 August 2021, the city of Kabul, the capital of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, was captured by Taliban forces during the 2021 Taliban offensive, concluding the War in Afghanistan that began in 2001. The fall of Kabul provoked a range of reactions across the globe, including debates on whether to recognize the Taliban as the government of Afghanistan, on the humanitarian situation in the country, on the outcome of the War, and the role of military interventionism in world affairs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Recognition of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan</span> International relations of Afghanistans Taliban government

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References

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