Prime Minister Narendra Modi received a grand ceremonial welcome in Jakarta on Tuesday as he officially began his bilateral visit to Indonesia, with the two countries set to deepen cooperation across strategic, economic and cultural sectors.
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto welcomed PM Modi at the Merdeka Palace, where the two leaders shared a warm embrace before the ceremonial reception began. Schoolchildren lined the route to the Presidential Palace waving the national flags of India and Indonesia, while the national anthems of both countries were played during the official welcome ceremony.
The ceremonial reception followed PM Modi’s arrival in Jakarta on Monday, when he was personally received at the airport by President Prabowo Subianto in a rare diplomatic gesture. The Indian Prime Minister’s aircraft was escorted by Indonesian Air Force fighter jets as it entered Indonesian airspace, and he was welcomed with a traditional cultural performance.
PM Modi later described President Prabowo Subianto’s personal reception at the airport as a touching gesture.
“I’m touched by President Prabowo Subianto’s gesture of welcoming me at the airport. In 2018, we elevated our relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, which has benefited our people. During this visit, President Prabowo Subianto and I will hold discussions aimed at adding even more momentum to this partnership across diverse sectors,” he said in a post on X.
The Prime Minister is on a three-day visit to Indonesia from July 6 to 8 at the invitation of President Prabowo Subianto. The visit marks his fourth trip to Indonesia and his first bilateral visit since the two countries elevated their ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2018.
PM Modi and President Prabowo Subianto are scheduled to hold bilateral talks aimed at reviewing the progress of the strategic partnership and expanding cooperation across key sectors.
In his departure statement, PM Modi said the visit would reinforce India’s engagement with the Indo-Pacific region.
“My visit to Indonesia and Australia in the Eastern and Southern Indian Ocean, respectively, followed by New Zealand, will further strengthen India’s Act East Policy, MAHASAGAR Vision, as well as our outlook towards a free and open Indo-Pacific,” he said.
As part of the visit, the two leaders will travel to Yogyakarta to visit the Prambanan Temple Complex, Indonesia’s largest Hindu temple complex and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
“President Prabowo and I will also visit the Prambanan Temple complex in Yogyakarta. This visit will strengthen the cultural ties between our two nations even further. While in Indonesia, I am also very much looking forward to the opportunity to interact with the Indian community,” PM Modi said.
Following the Indonesia leg of the visit, PM Modi will travel to Australia and New Zealand for high-level bilateral engagements as part of his three-nation tour.
(With agency inputs)
