Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto commended Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, particularly his dedication to alleviating poverty and supporting marginalized communities. Speaking at a special banquet hosted by President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Saturday, President Subianto expressed admiration for India’s progress and shared how he had been inspired during his visit.
“I am very proud to be here in India. I am not a professional politician or a seasoned diplomat, but I speak from the heart,” Subianto said. “In just a few days, I have learned so much from Prime Minister Modi’s leadership—his commitment to helping the weakest segments of society and alleviating poverty is truly inspiring.”
The Indonesian President extended his best wishes to the people of India, saying, “I wish prosperity, peace, and greatness for the people of India in the coming years. I hope to see Indonesia and India continue as close partners and friends.”
President Subianto is on his first state visit to India and will serve as the Chief Guest at the 76th Republic Day celebrations at Kartavya Path in New Delhi on Sunday. This marks a continuation of the long-standing ties between the two nations, rooted in shared democratic traditions and cultural connections.
President Droupadi Murmu, in her address, highlighted the historic bond between India and Indonesia, recalling that 75 years ago, Indonesia’s first President, Sukarno, was the Chief Guest at India’s very first Republic Day in 1950. “This reflects the enduring friendship and shared democratic values between our two nations,” she said.
President Murmu thanked Subianto for accepting the invitation to grace the Republic Day celebrations and emphasized the significance of India-Indonesia relations. The banquet, attended by senior dignitaries from both countries, underscored the commitment to strengthening bilateral ties across areas such as defense, security, trade, and cultural exchange.
The visit by President Subianto comes at a time when India and Indonesia are working closely to enhance their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, signaling a new era of collaboration and mutual respect between the two vibrant democracies.
