Indonesia and Iraq rarely feature together in discussions of foreign policy. Their relationship has long been cordial but limited, defined more by polite exchanges than by active cooperation. In 2025, that pattern continued, though with a few modest steps suggesting a shared interest in keeping diplomatic and economic channels open.

The most visible development came in July 2025, when Iraq’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs received Indonesia’s new ambassador, Didik Eko Pujianto, in Baghdad. The meeting reaffirmed both countries’ commitment to strengthening bilateral ties. This month, the ambassador met with the Kurdistan Regional Government to discuss cooperation in trade, education, and investment. While largely procedural, these meetings underscored an intention to maintain engagement at a time when both governments are reassessing their external partnerships.

Trade between the two countries remains modest. According to the Observatory of Economic Complexity (OEC) data, exports to Iraq totaled about $293 million in 2023, while imports stood at roughly $33 million, dominated by oil-related products. There is little sign of major new investment, and both sides acknowledge that regulatory, logistical, and security challenges remain significant obstacles.

Still, Jakarta and Baghdad have taken incremental steps to make official interaction easier. In September 2024, they

© Middle East Monitor