Spokesman Report
Islamabad: The Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in collaboration with the International Institute for Regional and International Studies (IIRIS), successfully convened a discussion on “Pakistan’s Current Mediating Role as a Genuine Reflection of the Bandung Spirit,” held in hybrid, 29 April 2026, at the Indonesian Corner, National Library of Pakistan (NLP).
The event brought together distinguished diplomats, scholars, strategic thinkers, and students from different universities including Quaid-e-Azam, NUST, Bahria, and NUML to reflect on Pakistan’s evolving role in fostering dialogue, cooperation, and peaceful conflict resolution in an increasingly dynamic global order.
In his welcoming remarks, Shafqat Rasool, President of IIRIS, underscored the enduring relevance of the Bandung Spirit as a guiding framework for inclusive diplomacy, mutual respect, and South-South cooperation.
The forum was enriched by the insightful perspectives of General Naeem Khalid Lodhi, Former Defence Secretary of Pakistan, who emphasized strategic balance and pragmatic diplomacy in contemporary conflicts. Abdullah Gul, Director General of MEASAC Research Center, offered a nuanced analysis of geopolitical dynamics, while Dr. Sarwat Rauf, Head of the Department of International Relations at NUML Islamabad, underscored the Bandung framework remained a living reference for Pakistan’s credible mediating role. In his turn, Professor Tahir Malik of NUML Islamabad further contributed by contextualizing these developments within evolving international relations paradigms.
Representatives of the Embassy of Indonesia connected Pakistan’s mediating role with the historical legacy of the Bandung Spirit, reaffirming the importance of solidarity, sovereignty, and non-alignment in today’s world. “One of the essences of the Bandung Spirit is the resolution of all international disputes through peaceful means,” commented Mr. Donny Ardiwidha, First Secretary of Political Affairs on Pakistan’s mediating role.
“Pakistan alongside Indonesia and other key co-sponsors played a foundational role in the 1955 Asia-Africa Conference which subsequently adopted the Bandung Spirit. For Indonesia and some other countries that uphold peace, Bandung Spirit has inspired their ‘fitrah or nature of foreign policy,” explained Minister Counsellor Rahmat Hindiarta, Coordinator for Information, Social and Cultural Affairs of the Indonesian Embassy.
Concluding his presentation, Mr. Rahmat Hindiarta conveyed high appreciation from Ambassador Chandra W. Sukotjo to distinguished speakers and all participants for their presence at the Indonesian Corner which has been dedicated as a hub for people-to-people relations. At the same time, Ambassador of Indonesia was in Lahore for ASEAN-Pakistan engagement along with other ASEAN Head of Missions.
The event concluded with a thoughtful vote of thanks by Dr. Munawar Hussain, Chairman of the IIRIS Board of Directors, who acknowledged the valuable contributions of all speakers and participants, reiterating IIRIS’s commitment to fostering intellectual discourse and diplomatic engagement.
This dialogue on April as the birth month of Bandung Spirit stands as a testament to the power of collaborative platforms in advancing meaningful conversations and reviving the Bandung Spirit not merely as a history, but as a living principle shaping pathways toward peace, cooperation, and shared global responsibility.
