President Prabowo and PM Modi Inaugurate Prambanan Temple Conservation Project

Indonesia and India have officially entered a new chapter of cultural heritage cooperation through an agreement on the conservation and restoration of the Prambanan Temple complex. The agreement was announced by Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto alongside Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the temple site in the Special Region of Yogyakarta on Wednesday, 8 July 2026. It marks a strategic step to accelerate the revitalisation of hundreds of Perwara temples that have yet to undergo restoration. The greatest challenge in preserving Prambanan currently lies with the more than 200 Perwara temples surrounding the three main structures. The government believes India’s extensive experience in conserving Hindu temples will strengthen efforts to protect the UNESCO World Heritage site. In his remarks, President Prabowo welcomed the start of the conservation partnership. ‘On this auspicious occasion, I welcome the agreement on the conservation and restoration of 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 gratitude to Prime Minister Modi for his three-day state visit to Indonesia, noting that the visit not only strengthens diplomatic relations but also yields concrete cooperation in cultural preservation. ‘On behalf of the government and people of Indonesia, I extend my highest appreciation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his three-day state visit to Indonesia,’ Prabowo said. He expressed hope that the collaboration would serve as a foundation for closer Indonesia-India relations and bring tangible benefits to both nations. ‘May the friendship between Indonesia and India grow stronger, closer, and continue to produce real and mutually beneficial cooperation for both countries and our peoples,’ he added. The agreement follows a commitment made by Prime Minister Modi approximately one and a half years ago to support the revitalisation of Prambanan Temple. Minister of Culture Fadli Zon previously revealed that India’s interest has now been realised through the launch of the joint conservation project with President Prabowo. According to Fadli Zon, the main conservation challenge at Prambanan no longer lies with the three main temples, which have been fully revitalised, but with the Perwara temple complex, which numbers more than 200 units.