India's response to Indonesian independence
India's response to Indonesian Independence
India's response to Indonesian Independence - The country, which is predominantly Hindu-Buddhist, is one of the countries that has contributed greatly to the post-independence of Indonesia. Because, thanks to the support from India, the United Nations finally issued a firm decision for the Netherlands to immediately stop its Military Aggression in Indonesia in 1949.
Not only that, India has also succeeded in embracing the international community to jointly recognize Indonesia's independence and sovereignty. In the end, Indonesia slowly began to be free from the threat of invaders.
Background of the Emergence of India's Support for Indonesian Independence
The problems that have not yet ended after Indonesia's independence have triggered international countries to take a firm stand against the Netherlands. India has shown this firm stance by being the initiator of the Resolution of the Asian-African Nations in condemning the Dutch Military Aggression.
Of course, this support and assertiveness did not appear without a reason. At least, there are several reasons behind the emergence of this great support for Indonesian independence. Including the following:
1. Cultural Similarities
This story begins with the long-standing cultural similarity between India and Indonesia, namely the Hindu-Buddhist culture. For India, Indonesia has been considered as a relative, and vice versa. So, this is the first reason for the emergence of India's support for Indonesia.
2. Rice Aid from Indonesia for India
Before independence, India was hit by an economic crisis. This problem was responded directly by Indonesia through its prime minister, Sutan Sjahrir. Indonesia sent approximately 500,000 tons of rice aid to the people of India, which at that time was experiencing famine. Thanks to this assistance, India, which became independent in 1947, was very active in supporting Indonesia in UN forums.
3. Friendship of Moh. Hatta and Jawaharlal Nehru
There is a friendly relationship between Moh. Hatta and Jawaharlal Nehru became the third cause of the emergence of Indian support for Indonesian independence. Hearing the news of India's independence, Hatta immediately rushed to meet his friend in order to congratulate India's independence.
4. Equality of fate as a colonized nation
Of course, India also felt the same way as Indonesia when it was colonized by the colonial nation. The similarity of fate as countries that were both colonized is the fourth reason India is enthusiastic in supporting Indonesia regarding the problem with the Netherlands.
India's Role in Supporting Indonesian Independence
Not only Egypt and the Arab League, India also played an important role in resolving the conflict between Indonesia and the Netherlands. At least there are some great things that India has done for Indonesia, including the following:
1. Holding Asian Conference in New Delhi
Seeing the condition of Indonesia which was increasingly being pressured by the Dutch Military Aggression, finally, through Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, India held an official conference in New Delhi with other Asian countries, such as Australia, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Lebanon, Syria, Saudi Arabia, the Philippines, Myanmar, Yemen, Iraq, China, Nepal, New Zealand, Thailand, Egypt and Ethiopia.
The event was called the New Delhi Conference. Held on 20-25 January 1949, with the aim of urging the Dutch out of the territory of the Republic of Indonesia. The conference was initiated by Jawaharlal Nehru as a response and criticism of the UN Security Council in solving problems in Indonesia and India. The results of the New Delhi Conference include:
- Return of the government of the Republic of Indonesia to Yogyakarta.
- Establishment of an independent ad interim government.
- In foreign policy, before March 15, 1949 Withdrawal of Dutch troops from all over Indonesia.
- Transfer of sovereignty to the government of the United States of Indonesia no later than January 1, 1950.
2. Submitting the New Delhi Resolution to the UN Security Council
The results of the New Delhi conference were then submitted to the United Nations in the hope that they would immediately take decisive action against the Dutch. Finally, All the demands of the New Delhi Resolution were met by the United Nations on 28 January 1949, by issuing a decision which contained the following.
Freeing Indonesian political prisoners from the Netherlands
Stopping Dutch Military and Guerrilla Operations
Returning the Republic of Indonesia to Yogyakarta
Negotiations will be held soon.
Through the Resolution, India also succeeded in bringing the United Nations to participate in solving problems between Indonesia and the Netherlands. Not only that, India has also succeeded in embracing the international community to jointly recognize the independence and sovereignty of Indonesia. Both de facto and de jure.
Those are some forms of India's support for Indonesian independence.