Prabowo Attends Indian Community Gathering: I Am an Admirer of Narendra Modi

President Prabowo Subianto attended an Indian community gathering at the Jakarta International Convention Center (JICC) in Senayan, Jakarta. The solemn event commenced with the playing of the national anthems of both countries. The meeting was held on Tuesday evening after both leaders visited the DPR/MPR Building. Prabowo expressed his gratitude and happiness at being able to meet directly with the Indian community in Indonesia. “Once again, allow me to extend a very warm welcome to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his visit to Indonesia,” said Prabowo, as quoted by the Presidential Secretariat Bureau. Prabowo then recalled the honour he received when he was the chief guest at India’s Republic Day celebrations in 2025. According to Prabowo, the moment held historical significance because the last time an Indonesian president was chief guest was for India’s first Republic Day celebration in 1950, when President Soekarno attended. “I was deeply honoured to be the chief guest because India’s first Republic Day celebration was in 1950 and the chief guest at that time was Indonesia’s first president, President Soekarno. So, destiny made me the eighth President of the Republic of Indonesia,” he reminisced. Prabowo then affirmed his personal admiration for PM Modi. “Once again, I do not interfere in India’s domestic politics, but I am a personal admirer of Shri Narendra Modi,” said the President. Meanwhile, PM Modi, in his address, expressed appreciation for the warm welcome given by Prabowo and all the people of Indonesia. PM Modi called Prabowo a true friend of India and admitted he was impressed by the honour he had received since arriving in Indonesia. “This is an experience I will always remember for the rest of my life. In Indonesia, the affection that Indonesians have for India, today I even saw it at the Presidential Palace,” he said. “The spirit of the Indonesian people, the smiles of the schoolchildren at the palace earlier, the spirit of Indonesia’s young people, everything was so extraordinary. I cannot express it in words, it is truly remarkable,” PM Modi continued. PM Modi also expressed his admiration for the enthusiasm of the Indonesian people, which he felt reflected a sincere friendship, including the popularity of Indian songs. According to PM Modi, this cultural closeness is a strong asset for strengthening relations between the two countries in the future. “Today I told President Prabowo that if India and Indonesia walk together, it is not just ‘Kuch Kuch’, not just a few things that happen, but going forward many things will happen if we are always together,” he said. This event served as a warm closing evening for PM Modi’s state visit to Jakarta. The meeting not only affirmed the strong strategic partnership between Indonesia and India but also demonstrated that the relationship is built on a foundation of history, people-to-people friendship, and cultural affinity.