Indonesia has made significant strides in diplomatic influence, with its score rising to 65.6 in the 2024 Asia Power Index, reflecting an impressive increase of 5.1 points from the previous year. This advancement has propelled Indonesia to sixth place in the rankings, marking its highest position since 2018. For the third consecutive year, Indonesia has led Southeast Asia, outperforming its regional counterparts—Vietnam and Singapore—with scores of 58.6 and 57.1, respectively. Malaysia and Thailand rounded out the top five, with scores of 52.9 and 52.6, respectively.
The Asia Power Index, published by the Lowy Institute, evaluates the international power of 27 Asia-Pacific nations using various metrics, including diplomatic influence, economic capability, military strength, resilience, future resources, economic relationships, defense networks, and cultural influence. Diplomatic influence is one of the most significant indicators, and Indonesia's performance in this category has seen the most notable improvement, rising by 14.2 points since 2018.
Indonesia’s diplomatic rise can be attributed to several factors, including its leadership role within ASEAN. In 2023, Indonesia held the chairmanship of ASEAN, a period during which it achieved multiple milestones. These included maintaining ASEAN's relevance and centrality, initiating the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP), and shaping a long-term vision through ASEAN Concord IV. Despite not often hosting bilateral visits, Indonesia remains one of the most active participants in the region's bilateral diplomacy.
This growth in diplomatic influence underscores Indonesia’s increasing role in shaping the geopolitical landscape of Asia, particularly through its strategic engagement in multilateral forums and its proactive efforts to foster regional cooperation.
