Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday praised the rich cultural performances presented during his arrival in Jakarta, saying they reflected the deep civilisational, cultural and spiritual ties shared by India and Indonesia.
After receiving a warm welcome from members of the Indian diaspora at his hotel, the Prime Minister witnessed a series of performances, including Indonesia’s iconic Wayang Kulit shadow puppetry depicting the Ramayana, a Bharatanatyam recital by Indonesian students and a devotional Buddhist dance paying homage to the Triple Gem (Tiratana).
Sharing his impressions on X, PM Modi said he was deeply moved by the Wayang Kulit performance, which brought the timeless story of the Ramayana to life.
“Witnessed a captivating performance of Wayang Kulit, Indonesia’s treasured shadow puppetry tradition, bringing the timeless story of the Ramayan to life. It was a moving reminder of how our shared civilisational heritage has travelled across seas and generations, taking on beautiful local expressions while preserving its eternal values. My compliments to the team, which is known as Ganesh, for the performance,” he said.
The Prime Minister also appreciated a Bharatanatyam performance by the Samanvaya Group, comprising Indonesian students.
“In Jakarta, I was delighted to witness a graceful Bharatanatyam performance by the Samanvaya Group. It is gladdening to see these cherished traditions being preserved and presented with such dedication and excellence,” he said.
PM Modi further praised the devotional Buddhist dance titled “Homage to the Triple Gem”, presented by artistes of the Vihara Dharma Ratna Group.
“The performance of ‘Homage to the Triple Gem’ by the artistes of the Vihara Dharma Ratna Group was exceptional. It reflected the timeless teachings of Lord Buddha and the profound values embodied in the Triple Gem. It is heartening to see the rich Buddhist heritage being preserved and celebrated with such passion by the people of Indonesia,” he said.
Expressing gratitude to the Indian community, the Prime Minister said he was touched by the warm reception accorded to him in Jakarta.
“Touched by the warm welcome from the Indian community in Jakarta. Their affection and deep commitment to India’s progress are truly inspiring. Our diaspora continues to strengthen India’s bonds with the world through its achievements across diverse fields,” he said.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said the cultural showcase highlighted the centuries-old connections between the two countries.
“A warm welcome in Jakarta! Prime Minister Narendra Modi received an enthusiastic welcome from the Indian diaspora upon his arrival at the hotel in Jakarta. He was greeted with a vibrant cultural showcase featuring a Wayang Kulit rendition of the Ramayana, Indonesia’s iconic shadow puppet tradition inspired by the Ramayana and Mahabharata; a Bharatanatyam performance of Shiva Stuthi by Indonesian students; and a devotional Buddhist dance paying homage to the Tiratana,” MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in a post on X.
“The performances underscored the shared civilizational, cultural and spiritual heritage of India and Indonesia,” he added.
PM Modi arrived in Jakarta on Monday on a three-day State Visit at the invitation of Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto. In a special gesture, President Prabowo personally received the Prime Minister at the airport, where he was also welcomed by four Indonesian ministers. Indonesian Air Force fighter jets escorted the Prime Minister’s aircraft after it entered Indonesian airspace.
Describing the welcome as deeply touching, PM Modi said he looked forward to holding discussions with President Prabowo to impart fresh momentum to the India-Indonesia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, which was established during his 2018 visit.
“Arrived in Jakarta. I was deeply touched by the warmth of President Prabowo Subianto, who personally welcomed me at the airport. In 2018, we elevated the relationship between our two countries to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, which has brought many benefits to our peoples,” the Prime Minister said.
He added that the two leaders would hold talks aimed at expanding cooperation across diverse sectors and would jointly visit the historic Prambanan Temple complex in Yogyakarta, describing the visit as another testament to the close cultural bonds between the two nations.
PM Modi noted that this is his first bilateral visit to Indonesia since the elevation of ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and follows President Prabowo Subianto’s State Visit to India as the Chief Guest for the Republic Day celebrations in January 2025.
Indonesia is the first stop of PM Modi’s three-nation tour, which will also include visits to Australia and New Zealand later this week.
(With IANS inputs)
