Prabowo and Modi Affirm Indonesia-India Friendship During State Visit
President Prabowo Subianto attended the Indian Community Reception at the Jakarta International Convention Center (JICC) on Tuesday, marking the conclusion of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s state visit. The event began with the playing of the national anthems of both countries.
In his speech, Prabowo expressed his joy and gratitude for the opportunity to meet the Indian community in Indonesia. ‘Allow me once again to extend a very warm welcome to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his visit to Indonesia,’ he said. Prabowo also reflected on the honour of being the chief guest at India’s Republic Day celebrations in 2025, noting the profound historical significance. He recalled that Indonesia’s first president, Soekarno, was the chief guest at India’s inaugural Republic Day in 1950. ‘I was deeply honoured to be the chief guest, as the first chief guest for India’s first Republic Day was President Soekarno. So, destiny made me the eighth President of the Republic of Indonesia,’ he reminisced.
Prabowo reiterated his personal admiration for Prime Minister Modi. ‘Once again, I do not interfere in India’s domestic politics, but I am a personal admirer of Shri Narendra Modi,’ he stated.
Prime Minister Modi, in turn, expressed his appreciation for the warm welcome from Prabowo and the Indonesian people. He described the experience as unforgettable and praised the affection shown by Indonesians towards India. ‘The spirit of the Indonesian people, the smiles of the schoolchildren at the palace, the energy of the young people, it was all extraordinary. I cannot express it in words,’ Modi said. He also highlighted the enthusiasm for Indian songs in Indonesia, viewing this cultural closeness as a crucial foundation for strengthening future cooperation. ‘Today I told President Prabowo that if India and Indonesia walk together, it will not just be ’Kuch Kuch’—not just a few things happening—but in the future, many things will happen if we always stay together,’ he added.
The Indian Community Reception served as a warm closing to PM Modi’s state visit in Jakarta, reaffirming the robust strategic partnership between Indonesia and India. The event underscored that the relationship is built on historical ties, people-to-people friendship, and cultural affinity that continues to grow across generations. Earlier in the visit, Prabowo and Modi launched a conservation collaboration for the Prambanan Temple complex, a symbol of the close civilisational links between the two nations, and inspected the site from the air to discuss restoration cooperation.