President of the Republic of Indonesia Prabowo Subianto formally welcomed Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in a solemn state ceremony at the Merdeka Palace in Jakarta on Tuesday (May 15). The ceremony featured 19 ceremonial gun salutes, a traditional mark of the highest honor extended to visiting heads of government.
The thunderous salute echoed through the palace grounds as the national anthems of Indonesia and Australia were played in succession, imbuing the occasion with a deep sense of formality and significance.
The arrival of Prime Minister Albanese was also greeted by a warm display of enthusiasm from approximately 3,000 students ranging from elementary to high school levels. Dressed in school uniforms and waving miniature flags, the students lined the areas around Monas and the Merdeka Palace, adding a festive yet respectful energy to the diplomatic event.
Australia has designated Indonesia as the first country visited by Albanese following his victory in the national elections, underscoring the strategic importance of Indonesia-Australia relations in the Indo-Pacific region. The visit also follows a congratulatory phone call between Albanese and Prabowo, reinforcing the continuity of diplomatic ties.
During the ceremony, President Prabowo and Prime Minister Albanese jointly inspected the honor guard, after which both leaders introduced members of their official delegations.
The Indonesian delegation included senior figures from the newly inaugurated Red and White Cabinet, such as Foreign Minister Sugiono, Minister of Home Affairs Tito Karnavian, Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto, Minister of Communication and Digital Affairs Meutya Hafid, State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi, and Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya.
Following the formal proceedings, Prabowo and Albanese held a private bilateral meeting, focusing on strengthening cooperation in key sectors including defense, digital technology, energy transition, education, and sustainable green economy development.
The bilateral meeting is expected to further solidify Indonesia–Australia ties and unlock new opportunities for collaboration amid the evolving global landscape.
