Indonesia’s Global Maritime Fulcrum (GMF) and China’s Maritime Silk Road (MSR) under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI): Glimpse into the New President’s Leadership 2024

Abstract

The Global Maritime Fulcrum (GMF) is Indonesia’s maritime vision that seeks to enhance maritime sovereignty, infrastructure, and diplomacy. The Maritime Silk Road (MSR) is the maritime component of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which aims to increase connectivity and economic cooperation through sea lanes. Despite their distinct objectives, these two initiatives complement each other in terms of infrastructure development, economic cooperation, and maritime partnerships. However, aligning these two initiatives poses challenges such as territorial disputes, political constraints, and concerns over Chinese influence. This study employs qualitative methods by analyzing previous reviews and leadership activities related to GMF and MSR. To achieve synergy between these two initiatives, open dialogue, mutual understanding, and respect for the strategic interests of each country are necessary. President-elect Prabowo Subianto faces challenges in managing Indonesia’s relations with major powers, such as the United States and China, as well as in safeguarding national interests amidst intensifying geopolitical competition.