Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto’s landmark Visit to India Strengthens Bilateral Ties
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto’s recent state visit to India has been hailed as a resounding success, marking a notable milestone in the ancient and strategic partnership between the two nations.The visit, which took place from january 23 to 26, 2025, saw President Subianto attending India’s 76th Republic Day celebrations as the Chief Guest, at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Union Minister of State for External Affairs Pabitra Margherita, who had the honor of seeing off the President, expressed his gratitude for the fruitful and successful visit. Margherita shared on X, “Had the honour of seeing off H E Prabowo Subianto, President of Indonesia after a fruitful and successful visit to India.This visit has further deepened the bonds of friendship between our two great nations.”
During his visit, President Subianto emphasised the deep cultural and historical connections between India and Indonesia, drawing attention to the significant influence of ancient Indian civilisation on Indonesian culture, language, and even genetics. Speaking at a banquet hosted in his honour by President Droupadi Murmu, Subianto shared a personal anecdote about his recent genetic sequencing test, which revealed traces of Indian DNA. He humorously remarked, “Everybody knows when I here Indian music, I start dancing.”
Subianto also expressed admiration for Prime Minister Modi’s leadership, praising his commitment to uplifting the marginalised and eradicating poverty. “His commitment to alleviating poverty, helping the marginalised, and helping the weakest part of your society, is an inspiration for us,” Subianto saeid.
In a heartfelt message, the Indonesian President expressed his pride in visiting India and conveyed his wishes for the prosperity, peace, and greatness of its people. ”I would like to see Indonesia and India continuing to be close partners and friends,” he added, highlighting the shared aspirations of both nations to enhance their longstanding partnership.
The visit also witnessed the signing and renewal of five Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) across diverse fields such as health, customary medicine, and maritime security.Key agreements included an MoU on health cooperation between the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and its Indonesian counterpart, and also the renewal of a maritime safety and security cooperation agreement between the Indian Coast Guard and Indonesia’s BAKAMLA.
President subianto was accompanied by a high-level delegation, including several Ministers, senior officials, and a business team, reflecting the importance of the visit for bilateral cooperation.
Key Highlights of the Visit
| Aspect | Details |
|————————–|—————————————————————————–|
| Dates | January 23–26, 2025 |
| Purpose | Strengthening bilateral ties and attending Republic Day celebrations |
| Key Agreements | 5 MoUs signed in health, traditional medicine, and maritime security |
| Delegation | high-level, including Ministers, officials, and business representatives |
| Cultural Connection | Subianto highlighted shared historical and genetic ties |
This landmark visit underscores the growing partnership between India and Indonesia, two nations with shared aspirations and a commitment to mutual prosperity. As President Subianto aptly put it, “I would like to see Indonesia and India continuing to be close partners and friends.”
For more details on the visit, you can explore the official announcements and updates from the Diplomat and the Free Press Journal.