Prabowo Joins BRICS Leaders in Banyan Tree Planting Ceremony in New Delhi
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto joined fellow BRICS leaders in a symbolic banyan tree planting ceremony at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, underscoring the bloc’s message of sustainability, shared responsibility and cooperation among emerging economies.
NEW DELHI — Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto joined fellow BRICS leaders in a symbolic tree planting ceremony as the 18th BRICS Summit got underway in New Delhi, adding an environmental message to one of the world’s most significant gatherings of emerging economies.
The ceremony took place at Bharat Mandapam, where Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and leaders of BRICS member countries participated in a joint planting initiative ahead of the summit’s main proceedings.
President Prabowo took part in the planting of a banyan tree, a gesture carrying symbolism beyond the ceremony itself. The joint activity reflected the emphasis on sustainability and collective responsibility as BRICS countries gathered to discuss political, economic and global challenges facing an increasingly complex international environment.
The tree planting brought together leaders from a bloc that has expanded significantly in recent years and now includes Indonesia among its full members, strengthening the country’s presence within a broader platform representing major emerging economies and the Global South.
The joint planting ceremony was widely seen as a symbolic expression of unity and environmental stewardship, reinforcing the idea that cooperation among BRICS nations extends beyond economics and geopolitics to include longer term questions surrounding sustainable development and the future of the global environment.
For Indonesia, President Prabowo’s participation also highlighted Jakarta’s continuing effort to play an active role in international forums while advancing cooperation with countries across different regions and political groupings.
Indonesia became a full member of BRICS as part of the bloc’s expansion, giving Southeast Asia’s largest economy a stronger voice in discussions involving trade, development, global governance and cooperation among emerging nations.
The 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi has brought together leaders at a time of heightened geopolitical uncertainty, with major international conflicts and economic pressures testing the ability of the expanded grouping to find common ground.
Against that backdrop, the banyan tree planting offered a quieter and more symbolic moment before the formal deliberations began.
Like the broader summit itself, the ceremony carried a message of building relationships intended to endure beyond a single meeting, with leaders using the occasion to underline the importance of cooperation, resilience and shared responsibility in shaping the future.
For President Prabowo, the moment also added another visual symbol to Indonesia’s growing engagement on the global stage as the country seeks to strengthen its partnerships while maintaining its tradition of active and independent diplomacy.
