PM Modi celebrates India-Indonesia ties
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday praised Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto as a "true friend of India" while expressing gratitude for the warm welcome he received during his State visit to Indonesia.
Addressing members of the Indian community in Jakarta, PM Modi said he was deeply touched by the affection shown by Indonesians, adding that the strong cultural and historical ties between the two nations continue to flourish.
"I sincerely thank President Prabowo for his kind words and support. He is a true friend of India," the Prime Minister said, noting that the warmth extended to him throughout the visit reflected the deep goodwill Indonesians hold for India.
Referring to the popularity of Indian cinema in Indonesia, Modi mentioned the Bollywood film Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, saying it has a special place among local audiences. Using the film's title as a light-hearted analogy, he remarked that cooperation between India and Indonesia results in "much more" than just kuch kuch, underlining the vast potential of the bilateral partnership.
The Prime Minister also highlighted Indonesia's enthusiasm for football, noting that each of his visits to the country has coincided with the FIFA World Cup. He recalled his visits to Jakarta in 2018, Bali in 2022, and Jakarta again in 2026, saying football excitement had been a common feature on all three occasions.
In a lighter moment, Modi described the Indian diaspora in Indonesia as the "Man of the Match" for strengthening ties between the two countries, applauding their contribution to deepening people-to-people connections.
Before addressing the community gathering, the Prime Minister met members of the Indian diaspora and watched a traditional cultural performance presented in his honour.
Modi is currently on a three-day state visit to Indonesia. Earlier on Tuesday, he held bilateral discussions with President Prabowo Subianto and addressed the Indonesian Parliament, with both sides focusing on enhancing cooperation across key sectors and reinforcing their longstanding strategic partnership.
