President Prabowo Subianto's extensive overseas visits, including recent trips to France, are strengthening Indonesia's international ties and defense modernization. However, analysts question whether these diplomatic gains translate into tangible benefits for ordinary Indonesian citizens.

Indonesia’s deepening ties with France have given President Prabowo Subianto a chance to advance Jakarta’s defence modernisation, strengthen relations with Europe and expand its international footprint. But analysts say the Paris visit has also fuelled a debate at home on whether deals and diplomatic goodwill arising from Prabowo’s frequent foreign trips can translate into benefits for ordinary Indonesians. Prabowo, who has visited France four times as president, met his French counterpart...