Welcoming Indian PM Modi, Puan Reveals Satellite Cooperation Plans
The Speaker of the House of Representatives (DPR RI), Puan Maharonic, received a visit from the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, at the Parliament Complex, Senayan, on Tuesday (7/7). During the visit, PM Narendra Modi delivered an official speech and address before the three legislative bodies: the DPR RI, the MPR RI, and the DPD RI. The agenda was also attended by the President of Indonesia, Prabowo Subianto, and the Vice President, Gibran Rakabuming Raka.
Following the meeting at the Senayan Parliament Complex, Puan stated that PM Modi expressed great hope that the bilateral relationship between India and Indonesia, which has officially spanned 75 years, could be elevated to a higher level. Philosophically and historically, PM Modi likened the close bond between the two nations to the existence of two great rivers that symbolise the civilisation of each country: the Ganges River in India and the Mahakam River in Indonesia.
“In his address, Modi mentioned that there are matters he wishes to pursue or follow up on together between India and Indonesia regarding the Ganges and Mahakam rivers. He noted that as long as the flows of these two rivers continue, the cooperation between Indonesia and India must remain closely knit, intimate, and strengthened,” explained Puan.
Furthermore, Puan noted that Modi emphasised strengthening diplomatic ties through shared collective memories and common cultural roots. In his speech at the parliamentary rostrum, the Indian leader even cited the historical views of Indonesia’s first President, Soekarno, regarding the emotional closeness of the two nations.
“He even quoted President Soekarno’s statement that the peoples of Indonesia and India are bound by ties of blood and culture. Consequently, PM Modi invited Indonesia to engage in various forms of cooperation, which have already been followed up during his meeting with President Prablant Subianto,” Puan clarified.
One of the concrete points of cooperation agreed upon and to be pursued immediately is in the field of aerospace technology, specifically the utilisation of satellite applications. In this regard, India has committed full support to assist Indonesia in developing independent satellite launch infrastructure facilities.
In addition, the strengthening of relations is also being realised through the cultural and historical preservation sectors, where President Prabowo is scheduled to personally accompany PM Modi on a working visit to Prambanan Temple.
“Today and tomorrow, President Prabowo Subianto will accompany PM Modi to Prambanan, even to launch the preservation and restoration of this world heritage site. This is because, historically, the relationship between Indonesia and India has endured for a long time, dating back to the era of President Soekarno,” added the PDI Perjuangan politician.
In closing, Puan emphasised that the momentum of a foreign head of government delivering a speech at the Indonesian parliamentary rostrum is a very rare event and holds significant symbolic value in Indonesia’s foreign policy dynamics. This visit also reaffirms the consistency of the partnership between the two nations, which has been deeply rooted since the implementation of the Asian-African Conference (KAA) in Bandung decades ago.
“If I am not mistaken, this is only the third time a foreign leader or government has delivered an address at the DPR Building. It is an honour for the DPR RI, alongside the MPR and DPD, to receive a visit from a Prime Minister whose nation has stood with Indonesia since the 1955 Asian-African Movement,” concluded Puan Maharani.