President Prabowo Subianto Attends Bastille Day Parade as Guest of Honor in Paris
President Prabowo Subianto attends the 2025 Bastille Day Military Parade as guest of honor at Place de la Concorde, Paris, France, on Monday (7/14). (Photo by: BPMI of Presidential Secretariat)
President Prabowo Subianto Monday (7/14) attended the 2025 Bastille Day Military Parade as guest of honor at Place de la Concorde, Paris, France.
Upon arriving at the venue of event, the President was greeted by French Prime Minister François Bayrou. The two then proceeded together to the main podium to watch the military parade.
The Bastille Day parade commenced with an inspection of troops by French President Emmanuel Macron. Before reaching the main podium, President Macron received a special salute from the 1st and 2nd Infantry Regiments of the French Republican Guard, marking the official beginning of the parade procession.
Upon arriving at the main podium, President Emmanuel Macron greeted President Prabowo with a handshake. The two leaders took their seats side by side and were seen engaging in conversation at various moments throughout the parade.
The joint military parade commenced with a spectacular aerial display by the French Air Force, soaring across the Paris skyline. This was followed by a marching procession of troops, led by Indonesia’s Patriot II Task Force Contingent, which had the honor of opening the parade.
The contingent comprised 451 joint personnel and cadets from the Indonesian National Defense Forces (TNI) and the Indonesian National Police, consisting of 262 marching troops and 189 members of the Taruna drum band. As the Patriot II Task Force Contingent made its way along the Champs-Élysées, the Taruna drum band played the national anthem ‘Maju Tak Gentar’ (Go Forward Without Fear), adding a stirring musical tribute to their proud display.
The Indonesian contingent drew special attention during the military parade. As the troops marched past the main podium, President Prabowo, President Macron, and other distinguished guests rose to their feet and offered a salute, accompanied with warm applause in recognition of the contingent’s impressive performance.
The parade was further animated by the procession of helicopters, motorized infantry, and cavalry units. The atmosphere turned more solemn as the event concluded with a commemorative salute, honoring the centenary of the Bleuet de France, a powerful symbol of national solidarity for veterans and victims of war in France.
President Prabowo Subianto’s attendance and Indonesia’s participation in the Bastille Day military parade served as a powerful testament to the robust bilateral relations between Indonesia and France, while also underscoring Indonesia’s strategic importance on the global stage. (BPMI of the Presidential Secretariat) (JAS/EP)
