The Embassy of India, Jakarta has observed the circulation of false and misleading news regarding the proposed new Indian Embassy building in Jakarta. These reports, questioning the purpose of the apartments within the building and its height of 18 floors, are baseless and appear to be part of an orchestrated attempt to mislead the public and harm the Embassy’s reputation.
These claims are completely unfounded and deliberately propagated by individuals with ulterior motives. We wish to present the facts to set the record straight:
- Residences Within Embassy Premises:
The apartments in question are exclusively for the use of Embassy staff and are located within the Embassy compound. These residences are not for commercial use, and no outsiders are permitted within the secure premises of the Embassy, in accordance with international diplomatic norms.
- Diplomatic Norms for Security:
It is standard practice globally for Embassy staff to reside within the Embassy compound for security and logistical reasons. This practice is consistent with arrangements made by many other Embassies in Jakarta and worldwide.
- Reciprocity with Indonesian Embassy in New Delhi:
The Indonesian Embassy in New Delhi has dedicated residences for its staff, located within the Embassy’s compound. The land provided by the Indian Government in New Delhi is large, allowing for low-rise structures, unlike the space constraints in Jakarta.
- Land Constraints in Jakarta:
Due to the limited land area allocated to the Indian Embassy in Jakarta, the only feasible solution is a vertical development with 18 floors to accommodate the needs of Embassy operations and staff residences.
- Surrounding High-Rise Buildings:
The Embassy’s location is already surrounded by high-rise buildings, as can be verified through a simple visit to the site or by using tools like Google Maps. The new building is consistent with the character of the neighbourhood.
- Legal Compliance:
The Indian Embassy has obtained all necessary legal permits for the construction of the building. Claims to the contrary are entirely false and appear to be part of an opportunistic agenda to mislead netizens and tarnish the strong bilateral relationship between India and Indonesia. They also question the sovereign right of the Government of Indonesia to grant the Embassy of India the necessary permission to construct an Embassy as per its needs.
A Call for Responsible Discussion
We urge the public to verify facts before drawing conclusions or spreading misinformation that could unintentionally harm the longstanding and friendly relations between India and Indonesia. These two nations share centuries of historical, cultural, trade, economic and development partnership, which should not be undermined by unfounded and baseless allegations.
