In a moment that marked the rise of Indonesia’s diplomatic role on the global stage, President Prabowo Subianto attended the Sharm el-Sheikh Peace Summit in Egypt on October 13, 2025. The impromptu invitation from the White House on October 12 was said to be more than just a routine diplomatic call, but an international recognition of Indonesia’s credibility in pursuing world peace. After receiving the call from Trump, Prabowo immediately held a three-hour emergency meeting at his residence in Kertanegara, accompanied by Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka and Minister of State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi.
According to an official statement from the State Secretariat, the invitation demonstrates the world’s trust in Indonesia, a country with a tradition of independent and active diplomacy, which has consistently advocated a two-state solution as a path to peace between Palestine and Israel. This consistency was previously emphasized by Prabowo at the 80th UN General Assembly in New York last September, where he also announced Indonesia’s readiness to deploy 20,000 additional UN peacekeeping personnel to Gaza, Ukraine, Sudan, and Libya.
This momentum marks the return of Indonesian foreign policy to its constitutional roots, namely the spirit of “participating in implementing world order based on independence, eternal peace, and social justice.”
World Leaders Forum: From War to the Peace Table
The Sharm el-Sheikh summit was attended by more than 20 heads of state and heads of international organizations, including Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.
The meeting resulted in the signing of the first phase of the Gaza Peace Plan, a 20-point agreement resulting from extensive mediation between Israel and Palestine. The core agreement includes:
- A complete ceasefire and gradual withdrawal of Israeli troops from the Gaza Strip,
- Prisoner and hostage exchanges, including the release of 1,700 Gazans detained since 2023,
- The entry of 600 trucks of humanitarian aid per day,
- Rehabilitation of Gaza’s vital infrastructure: electricity, water, and hospitals,
- and the formation of a Palestinian technocratic transitional government under the supervision of the International Peace Council, chaired by Donald Trump and Tony Blair.
The plan also includes the gradual demilitarization of Hamas and an amnesty for its members who surrender their weapons. If stability is achieved within six months, the international community will begin recognizing the establishment of a sovereign Palestinian state, supported by $15 billion in reconstruction funds.
Indonesia’s Role: Between Diplomacy and Humanitarian Action
Although present as a witness to the signing, Indonesia’s role went far beyond diplomatic symbolism. President Trump publicly praised Prabowo’s presence as a demonstration of Indonesia’s commitment to de-escalating the conflict:
“Also with us, President Prabowo, a very incredible man, President of Indonesia. Great job!”
Prabowo’s presence marks a new chapter in the transformation of “free and active” foreign policy towards contributory diplomacy.
Since 2024, Indonesia has distributed more than 3,000 tons of rice and medical aid to Palestine through a multi-ministerial and multi-agency humanitarian program. Jakarta is also currently pushing for the establishment of a Gaza-Indonesia special economic zone (SEZ), which will serve as a pilot project for post-war reconstruction under the support of the UNDP and the Islamic Development Bank.
These steps reinforce Indonesia’s constitutional mandate to ” participate in implementing world order based on freedom, eternal peace, and social justice .”
Prabowo’s arrival in Sharm el-Sheikh was warmly welcomed by President El-Sisi. In an official photo session, Prabowo stood in the front row alongside Macron and United Arab Emirates Vice President Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, representing a symbolic recognition of Indonesia’s status as a respected emerging middle power.
Open Mic Incident: Contents of Trump and Prabowo’s Conversation
Following the summit, the international community highlighted a casual conversation between Prabowo and Trump, captured on media microphones. In the recording, Prabowo is heard inquiring about the possibility of meeting with Eric Trump, the US President’s son, regarding potential investments.
However, Foreign Minister Sugiono emphasized that the conversation was informal and private, unrelated to state affairs. “The two do have a fairly close personal relationship. There were no formal diplomatic discussions,” he said.
” The two do have a fairly close personal relationship. There have been no formal diplomatic discussions .”
Responding to the issue, Eric Trump later appeared on Real America’s Voice, explaining that he had never met Prabowo in person. He only acknowledged that the Trump Organization had two projects in Indonesia, in Bali and Lido, and praised the success of these investments.
Author: Nazwa
Reference:
President Trump Praises President Prabowo at the Sharm El-Sheikh Peace Summit (https://setkab.go.id/en/president-trump-praises-president-prabowo-at-the-sharm-el-sheikh-peace-summit/)
Cabinet Secretary: President Prabowo Subianto Champions Indonesia’s Leadership at Sharm El-Sheikh Peace (https://setkab.go.id/en/cabinet-secretary-president-prabowo-subianto-champions-indonesias-leadership-at-sharm-el-sheikh-peace/)
Indonesia Reaffirms Commitment to Supporting Peace and Reconstruction in Gaza (https://setkab.go.id/en/indonesia-reaffirms-commitment-to-supporting-peace-and-reconstruction-in-gaza/)
Eric Trump says Indonesian president on hot mic was asking his father about family business (https://www.msnbc.com/top-stories/latest/eric-trump-indonesian-president-hot-mic-rcna238254)
