President Droupadi Murmu welcomed Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto to Rashtrapati Bhavan on Saturday during his first State Visit to India. The event included a ceremonial reception and a banquet in his honor. President Murmu highlighted the enduring civilizational ties and contemporary collaboration between India and Indonesia.
Celebrating Historic Ties
President Murmu noted the historic occasion of President Subianto being the Chief Guest for India’s Republic Day celebrations. She drew parallels with the first Republic Day in 1950 when Indonesia’s President Sukarno was the honored guest. This reflects the long-standing friendship and shared democratic values between the two nations.
She also mentioned the ‘Bali Jatra’ festival in Odisha, which commemorates ancient maritime trade links between India and Bali, underscoring the deep civilizational ties.
Strengthening Bilateral Cooperation
- Economic Collaboration
- President Murmu emphasized the potential for expanding trade and investments between India and Indonesia, given their vast emerging markets, geographical proximity, and similar economic structures.
- Defense and Space Cooperation
- Defense and space collaboration have become significant aspects of the bilateral partnership, reflecting mutual trust and strategic alignment.
- Indo-Pacific Vision
- President Murmu highlighted Indonesia’s importance as a key pillar in India’s ‘Act East’ policy and Indo-Pacific Vision.
Shared Multilateral Commitments
Both leaders discussed cooperation on multilateral platforms such as the G20, ASEAN, and BRICS. President Murmu congratulated Indonesia on its induction as a permanent member of BRICS, strengthening its role in global governance.
Comprehensive Strategic Partnership
As Comprehensive Strategic Partners, India and Indonesia continue to explore new avenues of collaboration. This visit is expected to further enhance cooperation in trade, defense, and regional connectivity, aligning their shared vision for the Indo-Pacific region.