Puan Maharani Recalls Soekarno's Legacy During Indian PM Modi's Visit to Parliament

House of Representatives (DPR) Speaker Puan Maharani recalled the role of first President Soekarno in nurturing relations between Indonesia and India while welcoming Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Parliament building in Jakarta. In her speech, witnessed by Modi and the administration of President Prabowo Subianto, Puan spoke of how Soekarno made history since the beginning of the two countries’ relationship. “The first President of the Republic of Indonesia, who is also my grandfather, was the chief guest at India’s first Republic Day in 1950,” Puan said at the DPR building on Tuesday afternoon. The relationship continued as Indonesia and India became co-sponsors of the Asia-Africa Conference in Bandung in 1955. Puan noted that this cooperation later became the foundation for the Non-Aligned Movement. The PDIP politician also recounted the history of the DPR building, which was built in 1965 as part of the Conference of the New Emerging Forces (Conefo) plan. “A strategic idea of President Soekarno that reflected the aspirations of developing countries to have an equal position and participate in determining the global order,” she said. The 75-year diplomatic relationship was later continued by President Prabowo Subianto, who visited India last year. Puan assessed that Indonesia and India share similarities in democratic growth that upholds the principle of sovereignty amidst global geopolitical dynamics. After escorting Modi’s departure, Puan again touched on how cooperation between Indonesia and India could be strengthened because of cultural similarities. She believed Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared the same opinion. “He even quoted President Soekarno’s statement that the people of Indonesia and India are bound by blood and cultural ties,” Puan said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the DPR complex to deliver a speech expressing his hope that bilateral cooperation could be elevated to a higher level. Modi was welcomed by DPR Speaker Puan Maharani, People’s Consultative Assembly Speaker Ahmad Muzani, and Regional Representative Council Speaker Sultan Bachtiar Najamudin. President Prabowo Subianto and Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka, along with several ministers, also welcomed Modi at the Parliament building. Modi visited the Parliament complex after completing a visit to the State Palace in Jakarta on Tuesday afternoon.