Regarding the LTTE separatism in Sri Lanka, Indonesia has expressed their support on Sri Lankan territorial integrity and national unity. Indonesia also supports the national reconciliation process in Sri Lanka towards peace and stability.[3]
History
The relationship between the two nations began earlier in 5th century CE, marked by the coming of Hinduism and Buddhism influences from the Indian subcontinent and Sri Lanka to the Nusantara archipelago.[4] The Hindu-Buddhist kingdoms of ancient Indonesia and Sri Lanka nurtured contacts in the 9th to 12th century CE, during the era of the Srivijaya Empire. During this time, Buddhism was the principal religion of both nations. According to the Sri Lankan Ambassador to Indonesia, an Indonesian king visited Sri Lanka and presented a baby elephant as a gift.[5]
The interactions between them grew in the 17th and 18th centuries, as both nations fell under the control of the Dutch East India Company (VOC). Sri Lanka was part of the VOC during Dutch period in Ceylon from 1656 to 1796. In the 17th-century, Indonesia was under the control of the Dutch East India Company as well as housing the headquarters for the VOC. It later became a Dutch colony in the Dutch East Indies until World War II. During the 18th century, multiple of kings, princes, and warriors from JavaneseMataram, Madura and Sulawesi, who opposed were opposed to Dutch rule of the Indonesian archipelago were exiled to Sri Lanka. The descendants of Indonesian exiles have created the Indonesian—Malay community in Sri Lanka that can trace their ancestry to Java, Madura and Sulawesi. For example, a warrior who fought for Kandy Kingdom named Karaeng Sangunglo was a Makassar nobleman.[2]
Indonesia and Sri Lanka officially established diplomatic relations on 2 August 1952. The relations grow further in 1955, when Indonesia and Sri Lanka, together with India, Pakistan and Burma initiated the Bandung Conference.[4] Since 1962, the status of the Indonesian Consulate office in Colombo has been upgraded as an embassy. The office has also served as the Indonesian representative office for the Maldives as of 2 September 1975. [citation needed]
Economy and trade
The Sri Lanka-Indonesia Business Council was established on August 30, 1991, with the main objective of promoting bilateral trade, investment, and tourism.[5]
In April 2013, Indonesia and Sri Lanka commemorated the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations in Merdeka Building, Bandung, to commemorate the Asian–African Conference, the historic event that brought two nations closer together. This event is also marked with cultural collaboration of the traditional puppet performance; Indonesian wayang golek with Sri Lankan ruukada.[2]
Since independence, Indonesian foreign relations have adhered to a "free and active" foreign policy, seeking to play a role in regional affairs commensurate with its size and location but avoiding involvement in conflicts among major powers. During the presidency of Sukarno, Indonesia's foreign relations were marked by engagement with other newly independent nations in Asia and Africa, as exemplified by the Bandung Conference, the subsequent foundation of the Non-Aligned Movement and a confrontational attitude towards Western powers, justified by a belief in the CONEFO and opposition to what Sukarno termed as NEKOLIM.
The Maldives has remained an independent nation throughout its recorded history, save for a brief spell of Portuguese occupation in the mid-16th century. From 1887 to 1965, the country was a British protectorate while retaining full internal sovereignty. At its independence in 1965, the Maldives joined the United Nations on 20 September.
Foreign relations of Sri Lanka refers to the diplomatic and commercial relations between Sri Lanka and other countries. Sri Lanka has stressed its principle of "friendship towards all, enmity towards none" in its diplomacy.
France and Indonesia established diplomatic relations in 1951. The indirect relationship between France and Indonesia commenced during the early 19th century colonial Dutch East Indies. Since 2011 France and Indonesia have formed a strategic partnership.
Brunei Darussalam and Indonesia established diplomatic relations in 1984. Since then, both country enjoys warm and friendly relations. Brunei has an embassy in Jakarta, while Indonesia has an embassy in Bandar Seri Begawan. Indonesia and Brunei don't share direct land borders. Since diplomatic relations were established back in 1984, Overall relations between the two countries were progressing well and that both sides continued to enjoy strong ties in a wide spectrum of co-operations; including trade and investment, tourism, agriculture, marine and fisheries, health, defence, transnational crimes, education, youth, culture and people-to-people contacts.
Indonesia and Spain established diplomatic relations in 1958. Spain identifies Indonesia as their natural ally and has named Indonesia as one of their priority nations in their foreign relations with the Asia-Pacific region. Indonesia has an embassy in Madrid and consulates in Barcelona and Las Palmas, while Spain has an embassy in Jakarta and a consulate in Seminyak, Bali. Today, the cooperation has expanded to various fields, including trade, culture, education, and defense technology.
Algeria and Indonesia established diplomatic relations in 1963. The relationship is mostly founded on common religious and anti-colonialism solidarity, as Indonesia and Algeria are Muslim-majority countries that also once fell under colonialism. Algeria recognized Indonesia's role on supporting their country on gaining independence in 1962. Both countries agreed on expanding cooperations and strengthening relations. Algeria has an embassy in Jakarta that also accredited to Singapore and Brunei, while Indonesia has an embassy in Algiers. Both nations are members of the Non-Aligned Movement, Group of 77 and Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).
Indonesia and Switzerland established diplomatic relations in 1952. In 2010, the heads of state of the two countries agreed to launch negotiations on a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). Switzerland has named Indonesia as one of seven priority countries for economic development cooperation. Indonesia has an embassy in Bern, while Switzerland has an embassy in Jakarta, also accredited for East Timor and ASEAN.
Austria and Indonesia established diplomatic relations in 1954. Austria recognizes Indonesia as a stable and reliable partner, and both countries enjoy excellent relations. The two nations have agreed to expand relations in business, trade and investment, tourism, culture, environment and green technology. Austria has an embassy in Jakarta and honorary consulates in Yogyakarta, Bandung and Surabaya, while Indonesia has an embassy in Vienna that is also accredited to Slovenia.
Germany and Indonesia established diplomatic relations in 1952. However, relations between the people of Germany and Indonesia has stretched back to 19th-century when a large number of German nationals migrated to Dutch East Indies.
The Czech Republic and the Republic of Indonesia established diplomatic relations in 1950. Both nations have agreed to forge ties to deepen relations, especially in the business and trade sector. Indonesia has an embassy in Prague, while the Czech Republic has an embassy in Jakarta that is also accredited to Brunei, Timor Leste, Singapore and ASEAN, and honorary consulates in Bali, Makassar and Surabaya.
Ethiopia and Indonesia established diplomatic relations in 1961, followed by the opening of Indonesian embassy in Addis Ababa in 1964. Said embassy is also accredited to Djibouti, whereas Ethiopia established a new embassy in Jakarta in the second half of 2016. H.E. Arega Hailu Teffera, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia to Indonesia has presented his credentials to H.E. President Joko Widodo on 23 February 2017. The Ethiopian embassy is now fully functional in Jakarta. The Embassy of Ethiopia in Jakarta is accredited to ASEAN HQ, Malaysia, Singapore, Cambodia, the Maldives and Pakistan. Both nations are members of the Non-Aligned Movement and the Group of 77.
Ecuador–Indonesia relations refer to bilateral relations between Ecuador and Indonesia. Relations were established on April 29, 1980; however, it was not until November 2004 that Ecuador established its embassy in Jakarta, and reciprocating 6 years later on November 11, 2010, that Indonesia finally opened its embassy in Quito. Both countries are the members of Forum of East Asia-Latin America Cooperation and Non-Aligned Movement.
Indonesia–Sudan relations was officially established in 1960. In February 2012, during a visit of Sudanese Foreign Minister Ali Karti to Jakarta, Indonesia and Sudan has agreed to foster bilateral relations in politics, science, education and economic sectors. Indonesia has an embassy in Khartoum, while Sudan has an embassy in Jakarta. Both countries have Muslim-majority population and both are members of Organisation of Islamic Cooperation.
Indonesia–Lebanon relations were officially established in 1950. Indonesia has an embassy in Beirut and a consulate general in Tripoli, while Lebanon has an embassy in Jakarta.
Indonesia–Syria relations was officially established in 1949, and it was among earliest international recognitions on Indonesian sovereignty. Both nations have common perceptions related to Palestine, Iraq and Lebanon issues, and Indonesia always supports Syria in international forum on the issue of the Golan Heights. Regarding the current events of the Syrian Civil War, Indonesia has urged all parties in Syria to end the violence, while pledging to provide US$500,000 worth of humanitarian assistance to conflict-torn Syria in 2014. Previously Indonesia has donated the same amount to Syria in 2012 and 2013 under United Nations. Indonesia has an embassy in Damascus, while Syria has an embassy in Jakarta. Both nations are the member of Non-Aligned Movement and Organisation of Islamic Cooperation.
Croatia and Indonesia established diplomatic relations in 1992. Croatia sees Indonesia as one of the largest and the most influential nation in ASEAN, and recognized its potential as the gate to enter ASEAN markets. Vice versa, Indonesia also recognizes Croatian potential as a strategic gate to penetrate Balkans and European Union market. Croatia has an embassy in Jakarta, while Indonesian embassy in Zagreb was established in 2010.
Sri Lanka–Spain relations are the bilateral and diplomatic relations between these two countries. Sri Lanka does not have an embassy in Spain, but has a plenipotent ambassador for affairs with Spain in Paris, France, but it has consulate s in Barcelona and Madrid. Spain has an embassy in Colombo
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