Prabowo Hosts Belarus' Lukashenko as Indonesia Launches New Strategic Cooperation Roadmap

JAKARTA, Investortrust.id — Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto welcomed Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko to Jakarta on Thursday as the two countries moved to deepen economic and strategic ties through a new five-year bilateral cooperation roadmap focused on food security, energy, agriculture, and industrial collaboration.

The state visit marks a significant step in Indonesia's effort to diversify international partnerships beyond its traditional economic partners while advancing Prabowo's flagship agenda on food and energy resilience.

The visit comes as Indonesia seeks new sources of strategic commodities—including fertilizer raw materials—and expands trade links with the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), a regional economic bloc comprising Belarus, Russia, Kazakhstan, Armenia, and Kyrgyzstan.

The cooperation roadmap also follows growing business engagement between the two countries. Earlier this week, Indonesian and Belarusian companies signed 17 business-to-business memorandums of understanding (MoUs) covering sectors ranging from manufacturing and mining to agriculture and heavy equipment.

New Five-Year Cooperation Roadmap

Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono said the Indonesia–Belarus Bilateral Cooperation Roadmap 2026–2030 signals a new phase in relations between the two countries.

"This shows that our bilateral relationship is entering a new and more intensive stage. Today we will also launch a roadmap covering cooperation across various sectors between Indonesia and Belarus," Sugiono told reporters at the Merdeka Palace on Thursday.

The roadmap will serve as the framework for cooperation in agriculture, food security, energy, culture, science, and technology—areas that align closely with Prabowo's economic priorities.

"Our main interest, in line with President Prabowo's programs, is to strengthen cooperation in food security and energy security," Sugiono said.

"Several agricultural products, particularly fertilizer raw materials, will also become part of the cooperation between Belarus and Indonesia," he added.

Building on Expanding Economic Ties

The visit reciprocates Prabowo's trip to Belarus in July 2025 and marks Lukashenko's second visit to Indonesia after his 2013 trip.

Indonesia has shown increasing interest in Belarus' fertilizer industry, particularly potash mining, as Jakarta seeks to secure long-term supplies for its agricultural sector while reducing exposure to global supply disruptions.

Belarus has also ratified the Indonesia–Eurasian Economic Union Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (I-EAEU CEPA), which Indonesian officials view as an important platform for expanding trade with Eurasian markets.

Sugiono said the visit is expected to strengthen economic cooperation while broadening Indonesia's access to strategic resources.

State Ceremony at Merdeka Palace

Prabowo welcomed Lukashenko with a full state ceremony at Jakarta's Merdeka Palace.

The Belarusian leader's motorcade was escorted by 17 motorcycle outriders, an honor guard, and 120 mounted cavalry troops before arriving at the palace, where hundreds of students waving Indonesian and Belarusian flags greeted the visiting president.

The two leaders embraced before watching a traditional Dayak Kenyah Hornbill Dance from East Kalimantan, a ceremonial performance symbolizing respect and hospitality.

Following the official ceremony, Prabowo and Lukashenko inspected the honor guard, introduced their respective delegations, signed the state guest book, and held a private tête-à-tête meeting.

Indonesia's delegation included Foreign Minister Sugiono, Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto, Investment and Downstream Minister Rosan Roeslani, Energy Minister Bahlil Lahadalia, Agriculture Minister Andi Amran Sulaiman, Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin, Culture Minister Fadli Zon, Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya, and State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi.

First Foreign Leader to Stay at State Palace

Sugiono also confirmed that Lukashenko became the first foreign head of state to stay overnight at Indonesia's State Palace rather than at a hotel or the adjacent State Guest House.

The Belarusian president had initially been scheduled to stay at the State Guest House, but Prabowo decided that the State Palace would provide a more appropriate venue for the state visit.

The symbolic gesture underscores Jakarta's intention to elevate bilateral relations as Indonesia broadens its diplomatic and economic partnerships across emerging markets.