Prabowo warmly embraced by Macron at Élysée Palace in Paris

President Prabowo Subianto was warmly embraced by French President Emmanuel Macron upon his arrival at the Élysée Palace in Paris on Thursday local time during a state visit. During a live online broadcast monitored from Jakarta on Thursday evening, President Prabowo immediately walked to shake hands with President Macron upon arrival. The two then embraced warmly before walking towards French First Lady Brigitte Macron, who greeted them with a hand-clasping gesture. President Prabowo proceeded to converse with her. President Prabowo was accompanied by his son Didit Hediprasetyo, dressed in a black suit. President Prabowo and Didit then took photos with Macron and Brigitte before entering the building for further discussions. Earlier, Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono stated that President Prabowo’s visit to France this week was to fulfil an invitation from Macron that had been previously delayed. ‘This visit is to fulfil Macron’s invitation, which had been delayed,’ Sugiono said in a statement released by the Foreign Ministry on Wednesday. Sugiono added that Macron extended the invitation during Prabowo’s last visit to Paris last month. Previously, Prabowo had made two visits to France: on 14 July 2025 to attend the French National Day Military Parade (Bastille Day) and on 23 January 2026 to strengthen strategic cooperation between Indonesia and France.