Russia Affirms Indonesia as a Strategic Partner, Not Merely a Tourism Market

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta – Head of the Directorate for Asia, the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), and Latin America at the Moscow City Tourism Committee, Maria Pasuginova, underscored that Indonesia is not only a promising tourism market, but also a strategic partner for Russia. She conveyed this during the Moscow Business Mission event in Jakarta on Tuesday, September 2, 2026, noting that this strengthening relationship is built through systematic dialogue, including cooperation in tourism, business, and culture.

Maria conveyed ties between Indonesia and Russia continue to strengthen year by year, and Moscow regards Indonesia as a key partner for long-term cooperation. "We view Indonesia not merely as a promising tourism market, but as a strategic partner with whom Moscow is building a systematic and professional dialogue," she stated.

A similar sentiment was expressed by the Russian Ambassador to Indonesia, Sergey Gennadievich Tolchenov, who was also present at the event. He noted that the growth in Indonesian tourists is a vital component of the deepening tourism ties between the two nations. "Indonesia remains one of the most attractive destinations for Russian tourists in Southeast Asia, while the number of Indonesian tourists visiting Russia is also steadily increasing," he said.

He believes that the growing interest among tourists from both countries needs to be cultivated into a sustainable two-way flow of visitors. "And I am convinced that our task is to transform this mutual interest into a sustainable two-way flow of tourists," he remarked.

A tangible example of this strengthening relationship is the "Wonderful Indonesia: Unity in Diversity" cultural program held in Moscow. The program is a collaborative effort between the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Moscow and the Moscow City Government, forming part of the 3rd International "Theater Boulevard" Festival at Chistoprudny Boulevard. Maria noted that the cultural program offers Moscow residents and visitors alike the opportunity to get to know Indonesia better through the archipelago's diverse traditions and arts.

The "Wonderful Indonesia: Bhinneka Tunggal Ika" program showcases the rich diversity of Indonesian culture, ranging from traditional dance, pencak silat, and gamelan music to shadow puppetry (wayang kulit) and authentic Indonesian cuisine. Running for three months and concluding on August 30, 2026, the program also forms part of the celebrations marking the 81st anniversary of the Republic of Indonesia's independence.

Through these activities, ties between Indonesia and Moscow are being strengthened not only in tourism but also through cultural exchange and people-to-people connections; this aligns with the vision of two Russian officials who view Indonesia as a long-term partner rather than merely a seasonal market.