SUVANNABHUMI Vol. 16 No. 1 (January 2024) pp.271-301

United Arab Emirates’ Soft Power Approaches towards Indonesia (2015-2022)

무하마드 줄피카 라크맛(연구교수, 부산외국어대학교 아세안연구원)

Yeta Purnama· Mohamed Shaheem Kizhakke Purayil

[ Abstract ]

Diplomatic relations between the United Arab Emirates and Indonesia have been going on for almost five decades. However, the cooperation between the two countries was still very limited at the beginning of diplomatic relations. As time went by, this cooperation began to expand, especially after Jokowi’s visit to the United Arab Emirates in 2015. After this visit, the United Arab Emirates also showed increased interest in Indonesia and started to aggressively exercise soft power in Indonesia. Agreement after agreement have been signed, not only in the economic, political, and security sectors, but also in other areas. This phenomenon of increasing cooperation is one form of success in the soft power exercised by the United Arab Emirates towards Indonesia. Therefore, this research will look at the United Arab Emirates' soft power strategy towards Indonesia from 2015-2022. The concept developed by Joshua Kurlantzick is used to analyze using four important indicators that include educational cooperation, religious exchanges, humanitarian assistance, as well as cultural exchanges.