Consul-General Emphasises the Importance of the Holi Festival in Strengthening Indonesia–India Ties

Nusa Dua, Bali (ANTARA) – Indian Consul-General in Bali, Shashank Vikram, stressed the importance of the Holi Festival as a platform that strengthens cultural ties between Indonesia and India. “Holi embodies joy, inclusivity, and the celebration of diversity—values aligned with the cultural ties and friendship that have long existed between India and Indonesia,” the Consul-General said in Nusa Dua, Badung, Bali, on Sunday. Holi, widely known as the Festival of Colours, heralds spring and symbolises the victory of good over evil, renewal of relations, and a spirit of unity and happiness. The Bali celebration reflects these values by bringing together diverse communities in a lively, colourful atmosphere with music, dance and cultural exchange. Participants come from Indian expatriates, Indian tourists, students, diaspora members and local communities, turning Nusa Dharma Island in Nusa Dua into a canvas of colour and joy. In Bali, the festival was organised by the Indian Consulate-General and the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre (SVCC) Bali in collaboration with ITDC’s The Nusa Dua on Nusa Dharma Island. Meanwhile, The Nusa Dua General Manager I Made Agus Dwiatmika said the festival reflected the spirit of unity and cross-cultural friendship. The celebration also aligns with a positive trend in Indian tourist arrivals, who are now among the five largest markets for visitors to the premium area. “This momentum positions us as one of the world’s class destinations that is inclusive and adaptable,” he said. According to data from the Bali Statistics Agency (BPS), the number of foreign tourists on Bali in 2025 reached nearly 6.95 million in total. Indian tourists ranked second with visits of nearly 570,000, up 3.4 percent from 2024’s 550,000.