Description
This paper explores the often-overlooked outer space dimension of the Indo-Pacific geopolitics. Whilst terrestrial, maritime, aerial, and cyber aspects of the Indo-Pacific have been extensively studied, the increasing importance of spacepower in shaping the regional dynamics warrants closer examination. To put this complex environment into perspective, this paper focuses on Indonesia, as a pivotal actor in the Indo-Pacific, in navigating the regional competition and cooperation in and through outer space, particularly among three prominent space powers, namely China, India, and Japan. This paper shows that the outer space has become an avenue for emerging of intra-regional rivalries with global implication beyond an externally induced US-China rivalry in the region, which provides a spacepower-less middle power like Indonesia with an opportunity to navigate it. Drawing on a three-dimensional space diplomacy conceptual framework, the paper examines Indonesia’s perspective of outer space security from three level of analysis: bilateral, regional, and global.On the bilateral level, Indonesia enjoys stable yet restricted cooperation with the three space powers. On the regional level, Indonesia maintains participation in each of the three space powers’ regional initiatives as well as other arrangements (ASEAN-COSTI-SCOSA and UNESCAP-ICC-RESAP) without a commitment for integration. On the global level, Indonesia keeps a non-aligned position among the three space powers regardless their measures to represent the Indo-Pacific countries at the global space forums, particularly at the United Nations.
