JAKARTA: Prime Minister Narendra Modi highly praised the rich cultural performances presented during his arrival in Jakarta on Monday, stating they deeply reflected the ancient civilisational, cultural, and spiritual ties shared by India and Indonesia.
Arriving for a crucial three-day State Visit at the invitation of Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, PM Modi received an enthusiastic and warm welcome from members of the Indian diaspora at his hotel.
Following the reception, the Prime Minister witnessed a series of captivating performances, including:
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Wayang Kulit: Indonesia’s iconic shadow puppetry depicting the timeless story of the Ramayana.
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Bharatanatyam (Shiva Stuthi): A graceful classical dance recital performed by Indonesian students of the Samanvaya Group.
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Homage to the Triple Gem: A devotional Buddhist dance presented by artists of the Vihara Dharma Ratna Group, paying tribute to the Tiratana.
A Celebration of Shared Heritage
Sharing his impressions on the social media platform X, PM Modi expressed how deeply moved he was by the performances, particularly the traditional shadow puppetry.
“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,” the Prime Minister posted, specifically complimenting the ‘Ganesh’ team for their rendition.
He further praised the local Indonesian students for preserving Indian classical dance forms and celebrated the Vihara Dharma Ratna Group for keeping Indonesia’s rich Buddhist heritage alive with passion and excellence.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) echoed the Prime Minister’s sentiments. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal noted that the vibrant cultural showcase beautifully underscored the shared spiritual and cultural heritage connecting the two nations.
Special Gestures and Strategic Talks
PM Modi’s arrival was marked by significant diplomatic protocol. In a special gesture, President Prabowo Subianto personally received the Prime Minister at the airport, accompanied by four Indonesian ministers. Furthermore, Indonesian Air Force fighter jets escorted the Prime Minister’s aircraft as soon as it entered Indonesian airspace.
Describing the welcome as deeply touching, PM Modi emphasized his eagerness to hold bilateral discussions with President Prabowo. The talks are aimed at imparting fresh momentum to the India-Indonesia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, a framework established during Modi’s previous visit in 2018.
“In 2018, we elevated the relationship between our two countries to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, which has brought many benefits to our peoples,” PM Modi stated. He noted that the upcoming discussions will focus on expanding cooperation across diverse sectors.
The two leaders are also scheduled to jointly visit the historic Prambanan Temple complex in Yogyakarta, a move the Prime Minister described as another testament to the close cultural bonds between the nations.
This marks PM Modi’s first bilateral visit to Indonesia since the elevation of diplomatic ties, and reciprocates President Prabowo Subianto’s State Visit to India as the Chief Guest for the Republic Day celebrations in January 2025.
Indonesia serves as the first stop on the Prime Minister’s three-nation tour, which will subsequently take him to Australia and New Zealand later this week.
