Upon arriving at the hotel where he is staying, Prabowo was presented with a bouquet by a young girl wearing traditional Indonesian attire.
In the lobby and along the route to the elevators, dozens of Indonesians, including embassy staff and families, welcomed him, saying: “Welcome to Washington, Mr. President.”
Many in the crowd wore traditional regional costumes and batik shirts, reflecting Indonesia’s cultural diversity.
Some waved small red-and-white Indonesian flags as Prabowo walked through the lobby.
Moving along the reception line, President Prabowo shook hands individually and thanked them, saying repeatedly, “Thank you, thank you.”
He later approached several students again to express appreciation for the welcome and greeted Indonesian military officers currently studying in the United States.
Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Bahlil Lahadalia and Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya followed behind, also shaking hands and exchanging greetings with members of the diaspora.
Some students and community members took the opportunity to greet Teddy as well.
Prabowo arrived in Washington earlier Tuesday after a Garuda Indonesia PK-GIF aircraft carrying him and a limited delegation landed at Joint Base Andrews in Prince George’s County, Maryland, at about 12 p.m. local time.
He was received at the base by Indonesian Ambassador to the United States Dwisuryo Indroyono Soesilo, Defense Attaché Air Marshal E. Wisoko Aribowo and Col. Gary Charland, the commander of the US Air Force VVIP/VIP Aircraft Maintenance Group at Joint Base Andrews.
During the flight from Jakarta, Prabowo was accompanied by Teddy and Bahlil.
Coordinating Economic Affairs Minister Airlangga Hartarto and Foreign Minister Sugiono, who arrived earlier in the United States, are also accompanying the president during his Washington visit.
Prabowo is scheduled to meet US business leaders on Wednesday, attend the inaugural Gaza Board of Peace summit on Thursday and hold bilateral talks with President Donald Trump, including plans to sign a reciprocal trade agreement under negotiation since 2025.
Translator: Genta TM, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Aditya Eko Sigit Wicaksono
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