Prabowo in Paris : Beyond the Parade, Geopolitical Synergies

Médias

Éric Frécon, associate research fellow at IRASEC, with Paco Milhiet, visiting fellow at RSIS, analyse for The Diplomat the invitation of Prabowo Subianto as the guest of honor at the July 14 Bastille Day military parade in Paris.

Read the article.

After French President Emmanuel Macron’s state visit to Jakarta in May, Prabowo Subianto stood as the guest of honor at the July 14 Bastille Day military parade in Paris. Beyond symbolism, this moment reflected a growing diplomatic, political, and military convergence between France and Indonesia. Given their history, their respective geopolitical situations, and their shared strategic interests, the two countries were meant for each other – and destined to work together. Their rapprochement is less a diplomatic adjustment than a return to structural normality.

France long overlooked the Indonesian reality – its demographic weight, economic rise, and growing geopolitical relevance – focusing instead on other ASEAN partners for various reasons : Malaysia due to the Chirac-Mahathir personal connection, Singapore for trade, and Vietnam for historical ties. It wasn’t until 1986 that a French president visited Jakarta, and the second visit came more than three decades later.