Book on Indonesian foreign policy released

PhD Vighanshu Shekar (second from left) is the author of the “Indonesia’s Foreign Policy and Grand Strategy in the 21st Century: Rise of an Indo-Pacific Power” book. (Photo: VNA)

Jakarta (VNA) – The “Indonesia’s Foreign Policy and Grand Strategy inthe 21st Century: Rise of an Indo-Pacific Power” book was introducedby the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs on May 29.

Written by PhD Vighanshu Shekar from the American University’s ASEAN StudyCentre, the book focuses on changes in Indonesian foreign policy in the 21st century, with the country seeking to position itself as a great power in theregion.

Thebook is a combination of the neo-classical realism and social identity theoryto reset the country’s foreign policy while emphasising domestic drivers andlimitations in its international behaviours.

There are three main parts in the book: “emerging power” part explaining thechange in Indonesia’s position in the international arena, “status signaling”part explaining multiple facets of international behaviour and “Indo-Pacific”part with a framing of the book.

The author hoped that the readers will understand Indonesia’s foreign policy inthe new context as well as the country’s standpoints on regional andinternational issues.

Shekar said Indonesia is one of the countries playing an important role inpromoting relations among nations in the Indo-Pacific region.-VNA

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