Indonesia's President Prabowo Arrives in Brazil for First BRICS Summit Appearance
Main Takeaways
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JAKARTA, Investortrust.id – President Prabowo Subianto has arrived in Brazil to attend the 2025 BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro, marking Indonesia’s first participation in the influential global forum since officially joining the group in January.
Touching down at Air Base Galeão on Saturday morning, July 5, President Prabowo was greeted with full military honors and a formal reception by Brazilian dignitaries, including Laudemar Gonçalves de Aguiar Neto, Secretary for Trade Promotion, Science, Technology, Innovation and Culture at Brazil’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Colonel Marcell Barros de Paula, Commander of the Galeão Air Force Base.
Also present were Indonesia’s Ambassador to Brazil Edi Yusup and Defense Attaché Colonel Rizal Ashwam.
After stepping off the presidential aircraft, President Prabowo was welcomed on a red carpet accompanied by trumpet salutes and a guard of honor ceremony. The moment marked Indonesia’s elevated status on the global stage, now as a formal member of the BRICS bloc—originally composed of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa—expanded to include new economies in 2024 and 2025.
Indonesia’s participation in the summit is expected to focus on reforming global financial institutions, multilateral cooperation in energy and technology, and the role of the Global South in reshaping international governance.
Diaspora Reception and Cultural Greeting
Later that day, President Prabowo arrived at his hotel in central Rio de Janeiro, where he was met by members of the Indonesian diaspora, staff of the Indonesian Embassy, and local supporters.
Among the greeters was a young Indonesian-Brazilian boy dressed in traditional Bugis attire who offered a bouquet of flowers—a gesture warmly received by the President, who paused to chat and shake hands with the child. The symbolic moment underscored Indonesia’s soft diplomacy efforts amid a tense backdrop.
“Although the Indonesian community in Brazil is relatively small, we are proud to welcome our President and represent Indonesia’s spirit abroad,” said Isak Hatun, Chairman of the Indonesian Diaspora in Brazil, who also had the opportunity to speak briefly with President Prabowo.
Isak shared that his family originally came from Maluku and had lived in Brazil for years, where his parents worked as missionaries. “President Prabowo listened with great interest. It was a very human moment,” he said.
Another Indonesian citizen, Tukini, described her excitement at meeting the President for the second time. “It’s an honor. I’ll definitely tell my family back home in Nganjuk,” she said, smiling.
Underlying Tensions: The Juliana Tragedy
President Prabowo’s arrival comes amid diplomatic unease following the recent death of a Brazilian tourist, Juliana Marins, who went missing and was later found dead during a hiking trip on Mount Rinjani in Indonesia’s Lombok island.
The tragedy sparked widespread outrage in Brazil and triggered an online backlash against Indonesia, with Brazilian social media users accusing local authorities of negligence. Indonesian netizens responded in kind, leading to a digital crossfire that drew headlines in both countries.
Juliana's family have reportedly considered legal action against Indonesian governments, citing delays and miscommunication in the search and rescue operation. The issue remains sensitive and is expected to weigh on bilateral engagements during the summit.
Despite the diplomatic chill, President Prabowo’s BRICS visit signals Indonesia’s intention to assert itself more prominently in global multilateral forums. His administration has pitched Indonesia as a “bridge nation” between the developing and developed world.