PresidentPrabowo Subiantowas hosted by French PresidentEmmanuel Macronat the Elysee Palace on Tuesday, where both leaders discussed strengthening strategic cooperation, the Indonesian government said.

This includes the procurement of defence equipment and the strengthening of the defence industry, the statement said, adding thatFranceis a strategic partner forIndonesiainEurope.

The two sides also agreed to cooperate on energy transition and the development of new and renewable energy.

Prabowo arrived in Paris directly fromMoscow, where he met Russian PresidentVladimir Putinon Monday.

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Oil pressure

Talks in the Russian capital focused on boosting Jakarta's strategic partnership with Moscow "particularly in the sectors of energy, mineral resources, and national industrial development, Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya said.

Recent visits have also taken Prabowo toSouth Koreaand Japan. The travel has been presented as necessary to secure energy supplies.

Brothers and sisters, its to secure oil, I have to go everywhere,Wijaya said in an address to his cabinet this month.

Indonesia has come under pressure from rising global oil prices linked to the war in theMiddle East.

Jakartasays it is maintaining a non-aligned diplomatic posture, even after joining theBricsbloc last year, which includes Russia andChina.

A trade deal has also been signed with US PresidentDonald Trump, and Prabowo joined his so-called Board of Peace, while insisting Indonesia would not pay the 1 billion joining fee for permanent membership.

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France arms link

France is already a major supplier of military equipment to Indonesia. Prabowo, then defence minister, signed an 8.1 billion deal in 2022 for 42 French-madeRafalejets as part of efforts to modernise ageing military assets.

Washingtonalso strengthened defence ties this week. US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth hosted Indonesian Defence Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin on Monday and announced a major defence cooperation partnership.

A joint statement highlighted both countries shared commitment to maintaining peace and stability in theIndo-Pacific.

Indonesia said on Tuesday it was still considering a US request for overflight clearance, which analysts say could be seen as an alignment with Washington overBeijing.

(with newswires)

Originally published on RFI