Indonesia–Pakistan ties moved into clearer focus this week when President Prabowo Subianto arrived in Islamabad for an official visit that blended formality with moments of surprisingly candid discussion. The meetings touched on defense, trade, disaster readiness, and technology, but what stood out was the shared sense that both nations finally want to turn long-standing goodwill into concrete cooperation.
Prabowo met President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif soon after landing. People in the room described the talks as straightforward, with less protocol than expected. Defense issues came up early: joint training, exchanges between officers, and the possibility of reviving older conversations on co-developing equipment. Indonesia has tested Pakistani-made systems in the past, and Pakistan continues to look closely at Indonesia’s aerospace and shipbuilding industries.
What the Two Sides Committed To
A central point of the Pakistan bilateral visit was the push to get the Preferential Trade Agreement moving again. Negotiations have lingered for years, but both sides now appear determined to break the stalemate. Palm oil, textiles, agriculture, halal certification, and energy supply (especially liquefied natural gas) are areas they expect to move first, once technical teams return to the table.
One topic that drew genuine interest was disaster cooperation. Pakistan’s recent floods reshaped national priorities, while Indonesia’s long experience with earthquake and tsunami response has produced institutions other countries often learn from. Islamabad asked for more structured cooperation on warning systems, data sharing, and emergency drills.
Cybersecurity came up as well, though briefly. Both countries have digital sectors developing at different speeds, but officials noted that shared training and awareness programs could be a practical starting point.
A Long Relationship, Often Underestimated
The visit also revived reminders of how far back this relationship goes. Indonesia and Pakistan formalized relations in 1955, yet their links began even earlier through anti-colonial circles and the Bandung spirit that shaped Asia’s political landscape after World War II. Pakistan backed Indonesia during the independence struggle; Indonesia later supported Pakistan in several global forums, including the Non-Aligned Movement.
Defense and diplomatic exchanges continued through the decades. Economic links, on the other hand, never quite matched the political warmth—something both governments acknowledged during this trip.
What Comes Next for Indonesia–Pakistan Ties
The world is shifting quickly, and both Jakarta and Islamabad know they need more partners they can rely on. Prabowo’s visit opens space for a more grounded partnership—not just a ceremonial friendship, but a working relationship shaped by real needs in defense, trade, food security, and disaster resilience. Turning these plans into results will take time, yet the intention is clearer now than it has been in years.
