Jakarta, IO – President Prabowo Subianto attended the Indian Community Reception at the Jakarta International Convention Center (JICC) on Tuesday, anchoring an evening that celebrated the deeply rooted friendship between Indonesia and India. The solemn yet warm event commenced with the playing of both nations’ national anthems.
Opening his remarks, Prabowo expressed his profound gratitude and delight at meeting members of the Indian diaspora in Indonesia. “Once again, allow me to extend a very warm welcome to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his visit to Indonesia,” he said.
He went on to recall the immense honor of being the chief guest at India’s Republic Day celebrations in 2025, emphasizing the profound historical significance of an invitation first extended to Indonesia’s founding president, Sukarno, at India’s very first Republic Day in 1950.
Prabowo then reaffirmed his personal admiration for the Indian leader. “Again, without interfering in India’s domestic politics, I am a personal admirer of Shri Narendra Modi,” he said.
In his subsequent address, Modi expressed his gratitude for the exceptionally warm reception extended by Prabowo and the Indonesian people. Describing Prabowo as a “true friend of India,” Modi admitted he was deeply moved by the hospitality he had experienced since his arrival.
“This is an experience I will cherish for the rest of my life. The affection that the people of Indonesia hold for India—I witnessed it firsthand today at the Presidential Palace. The spirit of the Indonesian people, the smiles of the schoolchildren greeting us, the energy of Indonesia’s youth—it was all truly extraordinary. Words cannot fully express how remarkable it was,” Modi said.
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He also marveled at the enthusiasm of the Indonesian public, noting that the widespread popularity of Indian songs in the country reflects a genuine, deep-seated friendship. He emphasized that these cultural affinities serve as a powerful foundation for tightening bilateral relations moving forward.
“Today, I told President Prabowo that when India and Indonesia walk together, it won’t just be ‘Kuch Kuch’ [something]—but rather, immense things will happen in the future if we stand together,” Modi remarked, referencing the famous Hindi film Kuch Kuch Hota Hai.
The Indian Community Reception served as a warm conclusion to Modi’s state visit to Jakarta. The gathering not only underscored the robust strategic partnership between the two Asian nations but also highlighted a relationship built on shared history, vibrant people-to-people ties, and a cultural affinity that continues to flourish across generations. (des)