Bollywood films have long had a place in the hearts of Indonesian audiences, but lately it’s said to have reached feverish proportions, popular not just in urban, but also rural areas. (...) As soft powers go, India’s is actually pretty impressive, covering a wide range of fields. As one writer put it, “from Buddha to Bollywood to BPOs”. 

Incompatible attitudes towards recreational drugs complicates Australian diplomacy in the region. (...) For Australia’s foreign policy in Indonesia, this causes problems. Canberra has had a tougher than usual relationship with Jakarta in recent years.

 Indonesias international diplomacy in the next five years focuses on upholding the publics interests and welfare, stated Foreign Affairs Minister Retno L.P. Marsudi. The foreign affairs ministry applied down-to-earth diplomacy that prioritizes the public interest, is beneficial for the people, and is connected with the needs of the public, the minister stated during the foreign affairs ministrys leadership working meeting, which was officially opened by President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo here, Monday. 

The Charlie Hebdo murders have reinforced anti-Muslim and anti-Arab sentiment that even when invisible always simmers just beneath the surface of public opinion in much of the West.

US and Chinese warships have rushed to help Indonesia search for a crashed plane, but analysts say more than altruistic motivations are at play with world powers jostling for influence.

US and Chinese warships have rushed to help Indonesia search for a crashed AirAsia plane, but analysts say more than altruistic motivations are at play with world powers jostling for influence.