France’s renewed focus on the Indian Ocean, driven by concerns over Chinese influence and evolving strategic imperatives, is manifesting in a tangible, albeit subtle, shift in its foreign policy alignment. The Third Bilateral Maritime Dialogue (BMD) between Indonesia and France, concluded in Bali in October 2025, represents a significant step in this evolving dynamic, signalling a deepening collaboration predicated on shared maritime security concerns and a nascent, but increasingly important, strategic partnership. This dialogue, initiated in 2021, is rapidly evolving beyond a simple diplomatic exercise; it’s becoming a critical tool in a broader geopolitical realignment.
The Immediate Context: Shifting Naval Landscapes
Over the past decade, the Indian Ocean has undergone a dramatic transformation. China’s naval expansion, primarily through the development of its “String of Pearls” strategy – extending naval influence across the region – has generated considerable anxiety amongst established maritime powers. France, historically reliant on its colonial past and naval power in the Mediterranean, has responded by prioritizing its presence in the Indian Ocean, driven by economic interests (particularly energy resources) and, crucially, a desire to counter China’s growing dominance. This strategic recalibration is supported by a substantial increase in French naval deployments and exercises in the region. Simultaneously, Indonesia, a strategically vital nation controlling access to the Strait of Malacca – a globally important shipping lane – is seeking to bolster its maritime security capabilities and strengthen its alliances to safeguard its economic interests. The BMD is thus a key component of this broader strategic realignment, offering a framework for coordinated action.
The Dialogue’s Scope and Outcomes
The third BMD focused on several key areas reflecting the evolving priorities of both nations. Maritime safety and security remained central, mirroring concerns over piracy, maritime crime, and potential disruptions to vital trade routes. Discussions centered around information sharing, joint patrols, and capacity-building initiatives, particularly relating to coast guard operations and maritime domain awareness. Specifically, the dialogue addressed the growing threat of illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, a significant concern for Indonesia given the vulnerability of its fisheries resources. “The shared understanding of the risks posed by IUU fishing and the desire to enhance surveillance capabilities were undoubtedly a driving force behind the discussions,” noted Dr. Amina Khan, Senior Analyst at the International Maritime Institute, during a recent briefing.
Beyond security, the BMD incorporated the rapidly growing strategic importance of maritime economy. The focus on decarbonization within the maritime sector – specifically, strategies for reducing emissions from shipping – aligns with both nations’ commitments under the Paris Agreement. Indonesia’s ambitious plans for transitioning its port infrastructure to utilize green energy sources, coupled with France’s leadership in developing and deploying innovative maritime technologies, created an ideal opportunity for collaborative investment and knowledge exchange. Sustainable fisheries management also featured prominently, acknowledging the critical role of marine ecosystems in Indonesia’s economic prosperity. The dialogue explicitly explored joint research programs focused on marine biodiversity protection, particularly concerning coral reefs and endangered marine species.
Economic Considerations & Business Partnerships
The dialogue extended beyond purely diplomatic and security considerations. Discussions included potential partnerships between Indonesian state-owned enterprises – particularly in port development and hinterland integration – and French companies. This signalled an intent to leverage private sector investment to modernize Indonesia’s maritime infrastructure, addressing long-standing bottlenecks in trade facilitation and logistics. “The focus on port development isn’t simply about building larger ports,” explained Jean-Luc Dubois, a maritime economist at Sorbonne University, “it’s about integrating maritime activity with the land-based economy, boosting productivity, and enhancing Indonesia’s competitiveness.” The inclusion of an exhibition highlighting eco-fishing ports and collaborations with marine plastic waste reduction initiatives further underscored the strategic value placed on environmental sustainability.
Shifting Alliances and Regional Implications
The BMD’s success hinges on its ability to maintain momentum beyond the formal dialogue structure. The site visit program – showcasing Indonesia’s maritime excellence, including the Benoa Port hub and the Ngurah Rai Grand Forest Park – was a key element in fostering trust and demonstrating Indonesia’s commitment to sustainable maritime practices. This program will be critical for sustained engagement. More broadly, the dialogue subtly shifts Indonesia’s position within regional alliances. While Indonesia maintains its longstanding partnership with Australia and New Zealand, the increasing engagement with France provides a counterbalance, offering Indonesia a strategic alternative and a potential avenue for increased influence within the broader Indian Ocean community. "Indonesia is carefully calibrating its relationships," commented Professor Ratna Sari Dewi, a specialist in Indonesian foreign policy at Universitas Indonesia, “the BMD represents a deliberate effort to diversify its partnerships and strengthen its strategic autonomy.”
Short-Term and Long-Term Outlooks
Over the next six months, expect continued discussions on implementing joint projects, particularly focusing on information-sharing and capacity-building. The development of a joint maritime strategy framework, while ambitious, is a realistic goal. Longer-term, over the next 5-10 years, the BMD has the potential to become a cornerstone of a more formalized strategic partnership. Increased investment in joint research, technology development, and potentially, collaborative naval exercises, are highly probable. However, maintaining the dialogue’s relevance will depend on ongoing geopolitical developments, particularly the evolving dynamics between China and the Indo-Pacific nations.
Reflection: The pursuit of shared maritime interests, it seems, is reshaping the geopolitical landscape. How effectively can Indonesia and France translate this burgeoning strategic alignment into tangible results, and what implications will this partnership have for the broader balance of power in the Indian Ocean?