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Denmark–Indonesia relations refers to the current and historical relations between Denmark and Indonesia. Denmark has an embassy in Jakarta, and Indonesia has an embassy in Copenhagen. Bilateral relations are strong. In 2015, after focusing on China and South Korea, Denmark is gearing up to enhance its relations with Indonesia, hoping that it will help Denmark to build strong ties with the whole Southeast Asian region.
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Danish settlers
Relations between Danish explorers to Java's inhabitants obviously could be traced back to pre-Colonial era in the 17th Century following successive waves of Europeans—the Portuguese, Spanish, Dutch and British—sought to dominate the spice trade at its sources in 'Spice Islands' (Maluku) of Indonesia. Danish merchants also arrived from Tranquebar, in search of pepper, to Bantenese/Bantamese land in Java. The Danish extended their commercial activities from their settlement in Tranquebar on the Coromandel Coast to various parts of Indonesia. These relations, to a small extent, came into being through the cooperation and advice of Dutchmen who found the road to Asia barred to their own enterprises because of the Dutch East India Company monopoly. The Danish merchants asked Banten's rulers permission to settle and trade.
Sultan of Banten's Letters to Danish Kings
In order to extend the trade relation, Sultan Ageng Tirtayasa of Banten sent some official letters to King Frederick III of Denmark and to King Christian V of Denmark. Dated on January 7th, 1675, both the Sultan and the Shahbandar of Banten (Western Java) wrote the first letter to King Frederick III of Denmark. The Sultan asked for cannon and powder and mentioned that 176 bahara (a weight) of pepper, for which there had been no room in the Danish ship Faerae, were being kept in store.
Another letter from the Sultan of Banten to King Christian V of Denmark dated February 15th, 1675. The Sultan again mentions the 176 baharas of pepper which had been deposited by Captain Adeler with the Banten nobleman, Duke Angabèhi Cakradana of Bantam. Due to massive Dutch traders approaching Java, Dutch conquered Bantam. The Danish no longer had permission to trade in Sunda Kelapa.
Modern era
Diplomatic relations between Kingdom of Denmark and Republic of Indonesia were established. A Danish embassy were opened in 1974.
Political Cooperation
In 2007, President of Indonesia, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono met with the Danish Prime Minister, Anders Fogh Rasmussen in New York City. Danish Minister of Foreign Affairs, Per Stig Møller visited Indonesia in 2007.
High level visits
On 17 December 2009, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono visited Copenhagen to attend the United Nations Climate Change Conference.
Her Majesty the Queen of Denmark Margrethe Alexandrine Þórhildur Ingrid and His Royal Highness the Prince Consort, in 21–24 October 2015 visited three Indonesian cities, Jakarta, Surabaya and Yogyakarta. The Danish Royal visit was meant to strengthen the Indonesian-Danish relationship in culture and trade. They are heading a Danish business delegation of around 50 companies that mainly represent 4 sectors; maritime, urban and clean technology, agri-business, design and lifestyle.