Prabowo: Ramayana Reliefs at Prambanan Witness to Indonesia-India Closeness

President Prabowo Subianto has stated that the reliefs depicting the Ramayana epic carved into the walls of Prambanan Temple bear witness to the closeness of Indonesian and Indian civilisations, which have been intertwined for more than 1,000 years. Prabowo made the remarks during a joint press statement with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the launch of an Indonesia–India collaboration for the conservation of Prambanan Temple in Yogyakarta on Wednesday. “Prambanan Temple is not merely a historical structure. It is a symbol of the great Nusantara civilisation that upholds knowledge, art, spirituality, and humanity,” Prabowo said. “Prambanan Temple also holds special meaning for the Indonesian and Indian nations because the reliefs of the Ramayana story carved on its walls are a witness to the closeness of our two nations’ civilisations,” he continued. “This visit carries special significance. Prambanan Temple is not only a symbol of Indonesia’s historical and cultural glory, but also a reminder of the strong civilisational ties that have existed between Indonesia and India for more than 1,000 years,” he stated. On that occasion, Prabowo and Modi launched the Indonesia–India collaboration for the conservation of the Prambanan Temple cultural heritage. Both leaders also toured the main temple complex and greeted Hindu worshippers praying in the courtyards of the Shiva, Vishnu, and Brahma temples. “On behalf of the government and people of Indonesia, I extend my highest gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his three-day state visit to Indonesia this time,” Prabowo said. Earlier, Modi attended a state welcoming ceremony at Merdeka Palace and held a bilateral meeting with President Prabowo along with delegations from both countries.