This cultural, civilisational, and political connect should be used imaginatively to take the relationship between India and Indonesia and their people to greater heights. Rup Narayan Das suggests how
Every year on Kartik Purnima in November, the people of Odisha — earlier known as Kalinga and Utkal — observe the age-old tradition of leaving miniature papers boats or boats made of stems of banana tree, with earthen lamps or candle lights and marigold flowers, in the river and ponds to commemorate the State’s hallowed past of maritime trade with the islands of Java, Sumatra, and Bali. This festive tradition is called Bali Yatra, meaning a voyage to Bali.
Today, the State and its people may not be as dynamic and enterprising as they used to be during that glorious bygone era, but the tradition continues. An international conference thoughtfully captioned ‘The Kalinga Indonesia Dialogue’ is being organised in the State Capital Bhubaneswar on November 14. The high-profile conference ideated by Ambassador lalit Mansingh and supported by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), the Government of Odisha, and the premier Ravenshaw University will be graced by dignitaries including former President of Indonesia, Megawati Sukarnoputri, Governor of the State Dr SC Jamir, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, and Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
The Patnaik family of Odisha and the Sukarno family of Indonesia share an enduring relationship, continuing and carrying forward the civilisational and cultural connect between Indonesia and Odisha. It is believed that the legendary Biju Patnaik, a dear friend of former Indonesian President Sukarno, had suggested the name of his daughter, who subsequently became the President of Indonesia.
Much before India’s ‘look East policy’ and subsequent ‘Act East policy’ was formulated, Biju reached out to Indonesia during the incipient years of India’s Independence and decolonisation when Indonesia was under the repression of the Dutch rule. The grateful nation Indonesia is beholden to the valour and bravery of Biju, who flew in Indonesian Prime Minister Sutan Sjahrir from Indonesia to New Delhi to enable him to participate in the Inter-Asia Conference in March 1947 to gather support for the cause of Indonesia’s independence.
Be that as it may, historians and researchers have come out with rich archeological and literary evidences establishing proof of Odisha’s ancient maritime trade with the countries of Southeast Asia. It is claimed that the great Chinese traveller and Buddhist monk, Hsuan-tsang, in his scholarly treatises makes a mention of the existence of ports like Tamralipta in Kalinga from where traders sailed to Sri lanka, China and other countries in the region. Similarly, Greek traveller Ptolemy claimed to have mentioned the sea route to Southeast Asia from Kalinga.
A stone carving of ships on the Brahmeswara Temple in Bhubaneswar is a testimony of the sea voyage of the people of Kalinga. This stone carving is preserved in the State Museum of Odisha in Bhubaneswar. Similar archeological evidence is also available at the Sun Temple in Konark and the Jagannath Temple in Puri. Stone carvings collected from Konark and preserved at the National Museum in Kolkata also point to the existence of maritime trade of the ancient Odisha with the countries of Southeast Asia.
Evidences are also available in tradition and cultures of Odisha and those of some countries of Southeast Asia, especially in Indonesia, such as in folklore and legends. According to one such popular folklore Taapoi, once seven brothers left for foreign shores for trade and commerce leaving behind their dear sister under the care of their wives, who instead of taking care of their sister-in-law tormented her. When the bothers returned, they punished their wives for the ill-treatment of their sister.
At a time when soft power plays an important role in the relationship between nations, the efforts of the Odisha Government to promote a comprehensive relationship with Indonesia must be supported. Domestically, there is increasing thrust on the role of States in foreign policy-making, which is traditionally under the domain of the Union Government. This is what is called paradiplomacy.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s emphasis on cooperative federalism has resonated well in the domain of foreign policy as well. At a time when the economic dimension of foreign policy occupies primacy, States are now competing to attract foreign direct investment. New policies, such as establishment of industrial zones and costal manufacturing zones, offer opportunities to tap foreign direct investment. The Ministry of External Affairs has also established a dedicated wing to deal with the Centre-State relations, particularly to facilitate foreign direct investment.
As far as India’s import of coal is concerned, Indonesia occupies third position in India’s basket. Odisha’s ports of Paradip and now the Adani-owned Dhamra Port offer a good opportunity for shipment of coal from Indonesia. The State Government can also propose to the Union Government to establish sister city relations between some cities of the State, like Cuttack or Bhubaneswar, with Indonesian cities for promotion of people-to-people contact and exchange of cultural programmes.
The State Government can also set up Chairs in its own universities or propose to the Central Government to set up such Chairs at the Central University of Orissa in Koraput. Similarly, the State Government can ask the ICCR to sponsor a Chair in the name of Biju Patnaik in an Indonesian university, such as Udayana University. The ICCR has instituted Chairs in the name of Rabindranath Tagore in some universities abroad, including one at Kunming University in China. Through such Chairs, lectures and seminars can be organised and research can be conducted on the theme of civilisational and cultural contact between Odisha and Indonesia.
In India’s relationship with Indonesia, Odisha occupies a significant position, and this cultural, civilisational, and political linkage should be used imaginatively to take the relationship between the two countries and their people to greater heights.
The writer is a Director in the Research and Information Division of lok Sabha Secretariat. Views expressed here are personal