Megawati and Indian Ambassador Discuss Close Ties Since Sukarno-Nehru Era
Fifth President of the Republic of Indonesia and PDIP Chairman Megawati Soekarnoputri and Indian Ambassador to Indonesia Sandeep Chakravorty discussed the close ties between the two nations established since the era of Indonesia’s first President, Sukarno, and key figure in India’s independence movement who later became Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru. This was during a meeting at her residence in Menteng, Central Jakarta, on Monday, 25 May 2026.
During the warm and nostalgic meeting, both discussed the close relationship between Indonesia’s first President Sukarno and Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru. Megawati also mentioned her closeness to Bijayananda ‘Biju’ Patnaik, a renowned independence figure and legendary Indian pilot.
Megawati Soekarnoputri began by recounting her interactions with Prime Minister Nehru. She explained that as a member of Indonesia’s delegation, aged just 14, she attended the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) Summit in Belgrade, Yugoslavia, from 1 to 6 September 1961.
As part of the Indonesian delegation, despite being only 14, Megawati sat and interacted directly with the founding figures of the NAM, including Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru. She showed a photo of Nehru chatting with President Sukarno at Merdeka Palace in Jakarta on 8 June 1950, where Sukarno’s eldest son, Guntur Soekarnoputra, was seen cycling with Megawati on his lap.
Megawati then displayed two old photos from her time at the Non-Aligned Summit meeting with Prime Minister Nehru. ‘I was wearing a kebaya then,’ Megawati said with a smile while showing the photos from Belgrade.
In response, the Indian Ambassador, who has served in Indonesia for over three years, said he met Megawati in North Korea in 2011 and again at the G20 Summit Gala Dinner in Bali last year. ‘I also saw a photo of Mrs Megawati and Sukarno displayed at the Nehru Museum in New Delhi,’ he added.
Megawati explained that the location of the Indian Ambassador’s residence was chosen by President Sukarno, noting India was among the first countries to recognise Indonesia. As Sukarno selected a strategic location for the Indian embassy, Nehru arranged for the Indonesian embassy in New Delhi to be situated near his residence.
The Indian Ambassador affirmed that the close bond between the two founding fathers remains a strong foundation today. ‘The positive relationship between the two nations continues to be built on the foundation laid by President Sukarno and Prime Minister Nehru,’ the ambassador stated.
In connection with the strong bilateral ties, Ambassador Sandeep Chakravorty invited Megawati to visit India again. During the meeting, Megawati was accompanied by PDIP General Secretary Hasto Kristiyanto, PDIP Central Executive Board Chairman Ahmad Basarah, Deddy Yevri Hanteru Sitorus, and Foreign Relations Director Hanjaya Setiawan.
Hasto explained that they also discussed geopolitics and enhancing democracy. ‘Strategic matters regarding geopolitics, improving democracy, and bilateral relations were also addressed during the meeting,’ Hasto stated after the discussion.
Before leaving, the Indian Ambassador presented a Taj Mahal miniature, one of India’s iconic symbols, while Megawati gave a phinisi ship model and an endek woven shirt.