By: Nedal Zubeidi
Jordan Daily - Indonesia and Jordan are seeking to deepen bilateral cooperation as the two countries mark 75 years of diplomatic relations, Indonesian Ambassador to Jordan Ade Padmo Sarwono said on Tuesday, highlighting expanding ties in defence, trade, education and agriculture.
Speaking at a reception in Amman marking Indonesia’s 81st Independence Day, Sarwono said the relationship had been strengthened by high-level visits, including Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto’s visits to Jordan in April 2025 and February 2026, and King Abdullah II’s visit to Indonesia in November 2025.
“Our best years are not behind us- they are still being written,” Sarwono said, calling for continued cooperation to advance peace, humanity and prosperity.
Indonesia has expanded cooperation with Jordan in defence, economy, education, health, agriculture and Islamic affairs, he said.
Sarwono also highlighted Indonesia’s recent rice self-sufficiency, saying cooperation with Jordan, including the supply of phosphate used in fertilizer production, had contributed to the country’s agricultural progress.
Defence ties have also moved into practical cooperation through military training, Indonesian participation in Jordan’s Royal Jordanian National Defence College and the appointment of an Indonesian defence attaché at the embassy in Amman, he said.
The ambassador praised Jordan and King Abdullah for the steadfast role in promoting peace and stability in the region.
On the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Sarwono said Indonesia remained committed to humanitarian assistance and continued to call for humanitarian access, protection of civilians and respect for international law.
“Indonesia has never turned- and will never turn away from the suffering of Palestinians,” he said, reaffirming Jakarta’s support for a two-state solution and for Jordan’s Hashemite custodianship of Muslim and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem.
Sarwono said Indonesia would continue supporting humanitarian assistance for Gaza and Palestinian refugees in Jordan.
The reception also highlighted growing people-to-people links. Indonesia took part for the first time in the Jordan Children and Youth Film Festival in August and hosted its second “Taste of Indonesia” event at Souk Jara, featuring Indonesian food and music.
Jordanian universities, he added, remained popular with Indonesian students and would continue to play an important role in strengthening bilateral relations.
Turning to sport, Sarwono said Indonesia’s national football team would visit Amman in November for a friendly match against Jordan, “Al Nashama” Team, expressing hope that Indonesia could emulate Jordan and qualify for the next World Cup.
The reception was also a farewell for Sarwono and his wife, Dhani, as his tenure in Jordan approaches its end.
He thanked the Jordanian government, people, diplomatic community and Indonesian community for their friendship and support, saying their welcome had made his time in Jordan “truly memorable.”
