PRESIDENT SUBIANTO'S PRESENCE AS REPUBLIC DAY CHIEF GUEST IS A REFLECTION OF OUR LONG-STANDING TIES: PRESIDENT DROUPADI MURMU
Bilateral Relations ; The President of India, Smt Droupadi Murmu received H.E. Mr Prabowo Subianto, President of the Republic of Indonesia at Rashtrapati Bhavan today (January 25, 2025). She also hosted a banquet in his honour. The President welcomed President Subianto on his first State Visit to India. She said that civilisational ties between India and Indonesia go back thousands of years. She added that values of pluralism, inclusiveness, and rule of law are common to both countries. These shared values have given direction to our contemporary relations.
President Murmu Thanks President Subianto for Attending Republic Day
The President thanked President Subianto for accepting the invitation to grace our Republic Day celebrations as the Chief Guest. Droupadi Murmu noted that this is a historic occasion. Seventy-five years ago, on our first Republic Day in 1950, we had President Sukarno of Indonesia as the Chief Guest. This is a reflection of the long-standing ties and strong democratic tradition between our two countries.
The President also recalled the millennia old civilisational links between India and Indonesia. He mentioned the ‘Bali Jatra’ observed in Odisha. This event commemorates the journeys made by Indian seafarers from India to Bali in ancient times. They also traveled to other regions of the Indo-Pacific.
Bilateral Relations ; “President Murmu Highlights Strong India-Indonesia Bilateral Ties
Murmu stated that in contemporary times, our vast emerging markets, geographical proximity, and similarities in economic structures offer immense potential for expanding bilateral trade and investments.
Droupadi Murmu also noted that, in addition to other areas of collaboration, defence and space cooperation are increasingly emerging as major elements of our bilateral relations. Furthermore, these sectors are playing a pivotal role in strengthening the overall partnership between the two nations. The President said that Indonesia is a key pillar of India’s ‘Act East’ policy and Indo-Pacific Vision.
The President stated that, as leading members of the Global South, India and Indonesia cooperate closely on various multilateral platforms, including the G-20 and ASEAN. Furthermore, she expressed her congratulations to Indonesia for joining BRICS as a permanent member, which, in turn, further strengthens their strategic partnership and enhances their global influence.
Both leaders agreed that as Comprehensive Strategic Partners, India and Indonesia are expanding cooperation in several new fields, which will be further strengthened by this visit.
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