[5] During the first five years of the Ministry's existence, the supreme task was to gain overseas recognition and international sympathy of Indonesian struggle for independence, all while during ongoing armed conflict with the Dutch colonial forces.

The young government managed to held peace talks and conferences with several parties, such as at Linggadjati (1946)[6] or onboard USS Renville (1948).

[7] It actively supported high-level meeting such as the Round Table Conference (1949), where Indonesian independence was finally acknowledged by the Netherlands.

Sukarno's disappointment with what he perceived as weakness of western-style parliamentary democracy, led him to restore Indonesia's 1945 presidential constitution.

[14][15] It also demanded a resolution on Dutch continued presence and occupation in the Western New Guinea, where Indonesia would consider a military approach in order to assert Indonesian rights over the territory.

[18] Another one of this period's diplomatic activities is the formation of ASEAN in 1967, following the conclusion of Bangkok Declaration by the delegates of Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, and the Philippines.

[22] Indonesian government would also continue active participation in the Non-Aligned Movement and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, becoming its chairman for multiple times.

Throughout the New Order period, Indonesian foreign policy would promote and gain international recognition for the eventual annexation of East Timor.

The Ministry advances Indonesian objectives and interests in the world through its primary role in developing and implementing the President's foreign policy.

[1] The Ministry is organized into the following structure: The following centers is coordinated under the Secretariat General: In Indonesia, the professional term "Diplomat" refers to a specific functionary post (Jabatan Fungsional) within the Indonesian Civil Service.

(in Indonesian) (in English) Professional diplomats of the Foreign Ministry are part of the Indonesian Civil Service (Aparatur Sipil Negara), and thus trained and educated by the Ministry after passing the National Civil Service Examination (Seleksi Calon Aparatur Sipil Negara) and completing the National Civil Service Basic Training Program (Pelatihan Dasar Calon Aparatur Sipil Negara).

The ministry also maintained several off-site locations, such as the Education and Training Center complex in Senayan, South Jakarta.

A special attention and consideration was made during designing phase to properly present the Gedung Pancasila as the face of the Ministry.

[31][32] In March 2021, the renovation for Integrated Public Service Building (Gedung Pelayanan Publik Terpadu) is completed and inaugurated by Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi.

[35] The Ministry of Foreign Affairs currently maintains 132 diplomatic and consular missions (Perwakilan Republik Indonesia), which consist of: