France’s Macron welcomes Indonesia’s leader Prabowo on a state visit

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto on Thursday met with his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron in Paris for a state visit. The two leaders witnessed the signing of a preliminary defense pact to potentially finalize new orders for French military hardware, including Rafale fighter jets, Scorpene submarines, and light frigates.

The meetings underscore Indonesia's growing diplomatic and strategic influence in the Indo-Pacific, with France viewing the country as a vital economic and geopolitical balancing partner in Southeast Asia.