Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto will visit India from January 25-26 as the Chief Guest for the 76th Republic Day, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced today. The invitation was given by PM Narendra Modi.
"This will be President Prabowo’s first visit to India since taking office in October 2024," the official statement said.
India and Indonesia have historical ties dating back to millennia. As a Comprehensive Strategic Partner, Indonesia is a key pillar of India’s Act East Policy & our vision of Indo-Pacific, the statement added.
The visit will provide an opportunity for the two leaders to review the entire spectrum of bilateral relations and discuss regional & global issues of mutual interest, the MEA said.
Prabowo Subianto, who became Indonesia’s 8th President in October 2024, is President along with Vice President Gibran Rakabuming, son of former President Joko Widodo. Subianto had visited New Delhi in 2020 as Indonesia’s Defence Minister. His presidency has been under scrutiny over past human rights abuses allegations which he has repeatedly denied.
India invites world leaders as Chief Guests for Republic Day celebrations. In 2024, French President Emmanuel Macron was the Chief Guest, in 2023, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi was the Chief Guest. COVID-19 had prevented such invitations in 2021 & 2022.
Inviting President Subianto reflects India’s continued engagement with Southeast Asian nations under its Act East Policy.
Notably, in 2018, Indonesia’s then President Joko Widodo was part of the Republic Day parade along with other ASEAN leaders. President Subianto’s visit is a testimony to the deepening strategic partnership between India and Indonesia.
