Antara, Paris – President Prabowo Subianto arrived in Paris on Sunday evening to attend France's Bastille Day military parade as an official guest of honour, following an invitation from French President Emmanuel Macron.
Prabowo landed at Orly Airport at approximately 6:35 p.m. local time after travelling from Brussels. His arrival was marked by a formal welcome led by French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau and French Ambassador to Indonesia Fabien Penone.
A military honour guard stood in formation at the base of the aircraft stairs as President Prabowo walked alongside Minister Retailleau, passing a row of 20 French military personnel.
Several Indonesian officials also welcomed Prabowo upon his arrival, including Indonesia's Ambassador to France, Muhammad Oemar, and Defence Attache Air Vice Marshal Anang Surdwiyono.
From the airport, Prabowo proceeded to his hotel, where dozens of Indonesian citizens and members of the diaspora gathered to greet him. Some children dressed in traditional Indonesian attire presented the president with flower bouquets.
"We are proud to see President Prabowo invited to this event. It's rare for a head of state to receive such an honour," said Nini Martini, an Indonesian expatriate who has lived in Paris for nearly 50 years.
The Bastille Day military parade is scheduled for Monday at 10:00 a.m. local time along the Champs-Elysees. For the first time, Indonesia is contributing its own contingent to the parade: a combined formation of 500 Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) and National Police (Polri) personnel, including cadets from their respective academies, marching alongside French troops.