President Prabowo and PM Modi Inaugurate Prambanan Temple Conservation Project
Indonesia and India have officially entered a new era of cultural heritage preservation through an agreement for the conservation and restoration of the Prambanan Temple Complex.
The agreement, announced by Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto alongside Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Prambanan Temple, DI Yogyakarta, on Wednesday, 8 July 202cap, represents a strategic step towards accelerating the revitalisation of hundreds of Perwara temples that have yet to undergo restoration.
This collaboration marks a significant momentum, as the greatest challenge in preserving Prambanan currently lies in the more than 200 Perwara temples surrounding the three main structures. The Indonesian government believes that support from India, which possesses long-standing experience in Hindu temple conservation, will strengthen efforts to protect this UNESCO World Heritage site.
In his address, President Prabowo welcomed the commencement of the conservation cooperation between the two nations. “On this happy occasion, I welcome the conservation and restoration agreement for the Prambanan Temple complex between the Government of the Republic of Indonesia and the Government of the Republic of India,” he stated.
The President also expressed his appreciation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his three-day state visit to Indonesia. According to Prabowo, the visit not only strengthens diplomatic ties but also results in concrete cooperation in the field of cultural preservation.
“On behalf of the government and the people of Indonesia, I express my highest gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his state visit to Indonesia this time,” Prabowo explained. He expressed hope that this collaboration would serve as a foundation for an increasingly close relationship between Indonesia and India, bringing tangible benefits to both nations.
“May the friendship between Indonesia and India become even more robust, closer, and continue to produce real and mutually beneficial cooperation for both our countries and our peoples,” he added.
The agreement is a follow-up to the commitment made by PM Narendra Modi approximately one and a half years ago to support the revitalisation of Prambanan. Minister of Culture Fadli Zon previously noted that India’s interest is now being realised through the launch of this joint conservation project led by President Prabowo. According to Fadli, the primary challenge in conserving Prambanan is no longer the three main temples, which have completed revitalisation, but rather the Perwara temple complex, which consists of over 200 units.