Port Visits as Instruments of Defense Diplomacy: The Case of KRI dr. Wahidin Sudirohusodo-991's South Pacific Mission (2024)

Abstract

The South Pacific region holds strategic significance for Indonesia due to its geographical proximity to the east part of Indonesia especially Papua, its Melanesian cultural connections, and the increasing geopolitical dynamics in the Indo-Pacific region. Amid challenges related to perceptions of the Papua issue and the need to strengthen relations with Pacific countries, Indonesia conducted the South Pacific Port Visit Mission 2024 using KRI dr. Wahidin Sudirohusodo-991 to Solomon Islands, Fiji, Vanuatu, and Papua New Guinea. This article aims to analyze how the port visit utilized as an instrument of Indonesia’s defense diplomacy and its implications for Indonesia’s interests in the South Pacific. This study employs a descriptive qualitative descriptive method through literature review, official documents, activity reports, local media coverage, and interviews with the Commander of the 2024 Port Visit Task Force and the Commander of KRI WSH-991. The findings show that the port visit served as a means of defense diplomacy through courtesy calls, official meetings, open ship activities, and military engagement. In addition, health services, medical aid, cultural promotion, culinary diplomacy, and social service activities strengthened Indonesia’s soft power dimension. This mission is important because it demonstrates a peaceful, humanitarian, and relevant defense approach to strengthening Indonesia’s image and engagement in the South Pacific.