A heartwarming and symbolic exchange took place at Palácio do Planalto on Wednesday between Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto and Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, where they delivered a joint statement after their bilateral meeting. President Lula pleasantly surprised everyone with a sincere “Terima kasih” (thank you) in Indonesian at the end of his remarks, showing his respect for his Southeast Asian counterpart’s culture. In return, President Prabowo responded with a Portuguese “Obrigado,” creating a moment of reciprocity that symbolized mutual respect, equality, and a shared commitment to strengthening ties between two major democracies of the Global South.
This brief but powerful linguistic exchange concluded a meeting that focused on significant discussions regarding food security, defense, renewable energy, and technological cooperation. However, it was the simplicity of “Terima kasih” and “Obrigado” that highlighted the personal connection between two leaders from diverse cultures but connected by a common vision. In a world of diplomatic formalities, these words served as a reminder that relationships between nations are also built on gestures of sincerity and mutual understanding.
