In a significant display of solidarity between two of the world’s prominent Muslim-majority nations, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan met today at the Bogor Presidential Palace to address pressing global concerns, chief among them the alarming threats by US President Donald Trump to displace 2 million Palestinians from Gaza. The bilateral summit, held amidst growing international concern over the fragile ceasefire in the region, underscored the shared commitment of Indonesia and Turkey to advocate for Palestinian rights and lasting peace in the Middle East.
The leaders’ meeting comes at a critical juncture, as Trump’s controversial proposal to “rebuild Gaza anew” while potentially depriving Palestinians of their right to live there has sparked widespread outrage. Erdoğan, known for his outspoken stance on Middle Eastern affairs, reiterated his rejection of the plan during discussions, framing it as an attempt to force a “second Nakba”—a reference to the mass displacement of Palestinians during the 1948 Arab-Israeli War. While President Prabowo has previously remained reserved on the issue, sources close to the administration suggest he may use this opportunity to take a firmer stand alongside his Turkish counterpart.
A Shared Voice for Palestinian Rights
Indonesia, as the world’s most populous Muslim nation, and Turkey, a key player in regional and global diplomacy, hold significant leverage in multilateral forums such as the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), the Group of 20 (G20), and the D-8 Organization for Economic Cooperation. Their joint condemnation of any forced displacement in Gaza could galvanize a broader international campaign to protect Palestinian rights and push for a sustainable resolution to the conflict. 
During the summit, both leaders emphasized the historical ties of Palestinians to their land, with Erdoğan reportedly stating that “no one has the right to uproot a people who have lived in Gaza for thousands of years.” While official statements from the Indonesian side are yet to be released, expectations are high for Prabowo to echo this sentiment, breaking his relative silence on the issue. If confirmed, such a stance would mark a significant shift for Indonesia, positioning it as a more assertive advocate for Palestinian independence on the global stage.
Analysts suggest that Prabowo, who assumed the presidency following his election last year, could draw valuable lessons from Erdoğan’s experience in navigating complex international crises. As a former defence minister with a military background, Prabowo has often focused on domestic security and economic priorities. However, with Indonesia’s substantial Muslim population and historical support for Palestinian causes, there is growing domestic pressure for him to play a more prominent role in Middle Eastern affairs.
Strengthening Bilateral Ties Amid Global Challenges
Beyond the Gaza issue, today’s meeting also served to reinforce the deep-rooted relationship between Jakarta and Ankara. The two nations have maintained strong economic and diplomatic ties, though not without challenges. In 2023, Indonesia recorded a trade surplus of $1.47 billion with Turkey, with imports from Indonesia amounting to $2.7 billion compared to Turkey’s exports of $410 million in 2022. However, issues such as Turkey’s wheat imports have occasionally strained economic relations, prompting discussions on balancing trade dynamics during this summit.
Several agreements on economic and military cooperation are expected to be signed following the High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council (HLSC) session attended by senior officials from both countries. Among the key areas of focus is collaboration on weaponry and defence technology, reflecting Prabowo’s military expertise and Turkey’s growing reputation as a supplier of advanced military equipment. These agreements, if finalized, could further cement the strategic partnership between the two nations.
The personal rapport between Prabowo and Erdoğan also appears to have weathered past speculation of tension. Rumours of a rift surfaced after a video from the D-8 summit in Cairo last December showed Erdoğan seemingly walking out during Prabowo’s speech. Both sides have since dismissed the incident as a misunderstanding, and Erdoğan’s visit to Indonesia—part of a broader tour including Malaysia and Pakistan—signals the resilience of their relationship. Historical ties, such as Erdoğan’s visit to Aceh in 2005 to support tsunami recovery efforts, continue to underpin the goodwill between the two countries.
Gaza: A Test for Indonesia’s Global Role
The Gaza crisis remains the most pressing issue on the agenda, with implications for Indonesia’s aspirations to become a more influential voice in international affairs. Trump’s reported plan to expel Palestinians from Gaza, though not yet confirmed in its specifics, has been widely criticized as a potential act of ethnic cleansing. While the US administration’s exact intentions remain unclear, the proposal has reignited debates over the rights of Palestinians to self-determination and the role of global powers in either exacerbating or resolving the conflict.
If Prabowo aligns with Erdoğan in publicly opposing the plan, it could mark a turning point for Indonesia’s foreign policy under his leadership. Historically, Indonesia has supported Palestinian statehood through diplomatic channels and humanitarian aid, but its leaders have often avoided direct confrontation with major powers like the United States. A joint statement with Turkey could signal a bolder approach, leveraging Indonesia’s demographic weight and moral authority as a non-aligned nation to advocate for peace.
However, such a stance is not without risks. Indonesia maintains important economic and diplomatic ties with the US, and any criticism of American policy could strain relations. Analysts caution that Prabowo will need to balance domestic expectations with pragmatic foreign policy considerations, ensuring that any position taken does not jeopardize Indonesia’s broader international standing. As one political commentator in Jakarta noted, “Prabowo has the opportunity to lead on this issue, but he must tread carefully to avoid unintended consequences.”
Regional and Global Implications
The partnership between Indonesia and Turkey on the Gaza issue could also have ripple effects across the Muslim world and beyond. Both nations are seen as regional leaders with the capacity to influence opinion in forums like the OIC, where collective action on Palestine has often been hampered by internal divisions. A unified stance from Jakarta and Ankara might encourage other member states to rally behind a coordinated response, amplifying pressure on global powers to reconsider policies that threaten stability in the Middle East.
Moreover, the collaboration could serve as a model for South-South cooperation, demonstrating how nations outside the traditional Western axis can shape discourse on critical global issues. For Turkey, which has positioned itself as a mediator in conflicts ranging from Ukraine to Syria, partnering with Indonesia offers an opportunity to extend its influence in South East Asia. For Indonesia, the alliance with Turkey provides a platform to elevate its voice on matters of global justice, aligning with its long-standing commitment to non-alignment and sovereignty.
As the summit concludes, all eyes are on the joint statement expected from Presidents Prabowo and Erdoğan. While the specifics of their discussions remain under wraps at the time of writing, the convergence of their interests on Gaza, coupled with strengthened bilateral cooperation, suggests a partnership poised to grow in significance. Whether this translates into tangible action on the Palestinian issue remains to be seen, but the symbolic weight of their meeting is undeniable.
For now, the message from Bogor is clear: Indonesia and Turkey stand united in their concern for Gaza and their determination to advocate for peace. In a world increasingly defined by geopolitical tensions, their collaboration offers a glimmer of hope that collective action can still prevail in the face of daunting challenges. As the international community watches closely, the decisions made today could reverberate far beyond the walls of the Bogor Presidential Palace, shaping the trajectory of one of the world’s most intractable conflicts.
