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Indonesia–Russia relations (Indonesian: Hubungan Indonesia dengan Rusia, Russian: Российско-индонезийские отношения) refers to bilateral foreign relations between Indonesia and Russia. Russia has an embassy in Jakarta, and Indonesia has an embassy in Moscow along with a consulate general in Saint Petersburg. Both countries are members of the APEC and G-20.
Contents
According to a 2014 BBC World Service poll, 29% of Indonesians view Russia's influence positively, with 49% expressing a negative view.
Background
The Soviet Union established diplomatic relations with Indonesia on February 3, 1950. Early in the Cold War, both countries had very strong relations, with Indonesian president Sukarno visiting Moscow and Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev visiting Jakarta. When Sukarno was overthrown by General Suharto, relations between the two states were not as close as they were during Sukarno's rule, likely due to Indonesia's enforced anti-communist policy under Suharto, following the 1965 coup attempt and mass killings. However, unlike the relations with China during Suharto's rule, the diplomatic relations were not suspended and remained intact.
After the USSR dissolved in 1991 and the fall of world communism, close relationship between the two states were seemingly improved and restored by the mid-1990s.
Present
In late 2007, Indonesia purchased military weapons from Russia with long term payment. Indonesian airlines also were considering purchasing the Sukhoi Superjet 100 from Russia but a 2012 demonstration crash has put such talks on hold. Indonesia now says it could take as long as a year to analyze the flight data recorder recovered from the crash site. Separately, both countries are also members of the G-20 and APEC.
Military cooperation
Russia is a major arms supplier to Indonesia. Russian arms exports to Indonesia include the Sukhoi Su-30, Sukhoi Su-27, Mil Mi-35, BMP-3, Mil Mi-17, and Pantsir-S1.