Indonesia said it is weighing the possibility of carrying out coordinated coast-guard patrols with Vietnam in parts of the South China Sea also claimed by China, signaling closer maritime cooperation between the two Southeast Asian neighbors while risking friction with Beijing.
“We are exploring coordinated patrols,” said the Indonesian Coast Guard (Bakamla) Chief Vice Admiral Irvansyah after welcoming Vietnam’s Coast Guard vessel at Tanjung Priok Port in North Jakarta on Monday.
He said officials will work out the technical details of the cooperation in meetings over the coming days, including joint exercises, personnel exchanges, and training programs.
“This partnership will enhance our capabilities in safeguarding Indonesian and ASEAN waters,” Irvansyah said, adding that it is also intended to strengthen diplomatic ties with Vietnam.
EEZ Deal Still Not Ratified
The statement took place against the backdrop of a 2022 agreement between Indonesia and Vietnam to establish an Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) boundary in the South China Sea after more than a decade of negotiations.
While both governments signed the deal, it has not been ratified by either country’s parliament, so the agreement is still not legally binding.
The legal text and coordinates remain unpublished. Indonesia’s explanatory memo for ratification cited the agreed line but withheld the annexes containing coordinates from public release.
Indonesian lawmakers have spoken of advancing the ratification process, and last May, one legislator said approval was expected “within the week,” but no final action has been taken.
China’s 9 Dash Line Claim
The waters in question overlap with China’s “nine-dash line” claim, which covers most of the South China Sea.
China’s coast guard maintains a frequent presence in those areas, using tactics such as radio challenges, water cannons, and ramming in encounters with foreign vessels.
Indonesia’s consideration of joint patrols comes as Southeast Asian states look for ways to manage overlapping maritime claims while avoiding escalation with Beijing.
Analysts say a ratified and public boundary would give Jakarta and Hanoi a stronger footing to enforce their claims and reinforce regional legal norms under the U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea.
For now, the plan remains at an early stage. It is unclear whether Bakamla’s statement signals a finalized government decision or a proposal still awaiting political clearance.
