Macron Hosts Prabowo in Paris for Bastille Day Dinner

French President Welcomes Indonesian Leader Following National Day Celebration

French President **Emmanuel Macron** hosted Indonesian President **Prabowo Subianto** for a private dinner at the Élysée Palace in Paris. The engagement followed **Prabowo**’s prestigious role as an honored guest at France’s Bastille Day celebrations earlier on Monday, July 14, 2025.

Diplomatic Dialogue Amidst Global Shifts

Upon his arrival, **Prabowo** was formally greeted by the Head of the French State Protocol and proceeded past honor guards. **Macron** personally welcomed the Indonesian president at the end of the formation, with the leaders sharing a handshake and photographs before entering the palace for their meal.

The dinner featured traditional French cuisine. Both leaders used the occasion to discuss significant strategic matters impacting their nations and the broader international landscape, though specific details of their conversation were not released.

Yusuf Permana, Deputy for Protocol, Press, and Media at the Presidential Secretariat, emphasized that the dinner was more than a ceremonial event, stating it signified robust diplomatic ties and the deepening commitment between France and Indonesia. Permana added that this reflects, a commitment to continue moving forward together amid global dynamics.

Shared Commemoration on Champs-Élysées

Earlier in the day, **Prabowo** joined **Macron** on the main stage during the Bastille Day festivities on the Champs-Élysées. A highlight of the military parade was a special appearance by the Indonesian Contingent. Five hundred Indonesian troops marched, performing the patriotic song “Maju Tak Gentar.”

The disciplined march of the Indonesian soldiers evidently resonated with President **Macron**, reminding him of his recent visit to the Magelang Military Academy in Indonesia last May. This connection was noted in an official statement: The steps of the Indonesian military reminded President Macron of his meeting with the Indonesian forces in Magelang.

**Macron** later shared his reflections on his official Instagram account, @emmanuelmacron. He posted a photo from the parade with a caption in French, stating: I still have strong memories of my visit last May, especially of my time at the Akmil Military Academy in Magelang, in the heart of Java, and our encounter with Indonesian National Armed Forces soldiers who were learning French.

This diplomatic exchange occurs as global defense spending continues to rise, with NATO members, including France, increasing their budgets in response to geopolitical tensions. In 2023, France’s defense budget reached approximately $60 billion USD, a significant increase reflecting evolving security challenges (Source: Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, 2024).

Je garde un souvenir fort de ma visite, en mai dernier, notamment à l’Académie militaire Akmil de Magelang, au cœur de Java, et de notre rencontre avec les soldats de l’armée nationale indonésienne qui apprennent le français.

— Emmanuel Macron (@emmanuelmacron) July 14, 2025