Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday described the Indian community in Indonesia as a “living bridge of friendship” between the two countries and called upon the diaspora to contribute towards the shared national aspirations of “Viksit Bharat 2047” and “Indonesia Emas 2045”.
Addressing a reception for the Indian community in Jakarta during his State Visit to Indonesia, PM Modi received a warm welcome from members of the Indian diaspora and Indonesian friends of India. In a special gesture, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto also attended the event alongside the Prime Minister.
Thanking the gathering for the enthusiastic reception, PM Modi expressed gratitude to President Prabowo for his presence, describing him as “a great leader and a true friend of India.”
The Prime Minister praised the Indian diaspora for its contribution to Indonesia’s development and prosperity, saying the community had played a vital role in strengthening the enduring friendship between the two countries.
Reaffirming India’s commitment to further deepening bilateral ties, the PM said the partnership with Indonesia was anchored in mutual trust, a shared civilisational heritage and centuries-old maritime connections.
Highlighting the historical links between the two nations, he said traditions such as the Bali Yatra, the Vesak pilgrimage and contemporary academic links through Nalanda University continue to nurture vibrant people-to-people relations.
PM Modi also outlined India’s recent developmental achievements, pointing to rapid expansion in next-generation infrastructure, the country’s thriving startup ecosystem and social welfare programmes that have helped lift more than 250 million people out of poverty.
He noted that India had remained the world’s fastest-growing major economy for several years, making it an important driver of global economic growth.
“The changes taking place in India should be seen as the aspirations of 1.4 billion people in motion,” he said.
Calling on the diaspora to actively participate in India’s growth story, Prime Minister Modi urged them to contribute towards the shared goals of Viksit Bharat 2047 and Indonesia Emas 2045.
He added that India remained committed to acting as a force multiplier for promoting progress and prosperity in Indonesia as well as across the ASEAN region.
India and Indonesia share over two millennia of civilisational, cultural and people-to-people ties. Indonesia is home to around 150,000 Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) and nearly 15,000 Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), who continue to contribute significantly to the country’s economy and multicultural society while serving as an important link between the two nations.
