Prabowo Subianto, the President of Indonesia, landed in Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi on January 25, 2025.
He's making his first State Visit to India since October 2024, when he took office as the Chief Guest on the eve of India's 76th Republic Day, and the formalized welcome ceremony constitutes an importance that heralds this visit with what is to be discussed bilaterally between Indonesia and India.
Prabowo held a meeting with Indian President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Rashtrapati Bhavan. They discussed bilateral relations between both countries in political, security, defense, and cooperation in trade matters.
During his visit, President Prabowo said, "...Indonesia considers India a very great friend. India was one of the first countries, maybe the first country to recognise our independence, to support us in our struggle for independence, we will never forget what India did to help us. I am very honoured today and I am doubly honoured that tomorrow I will be the chief guest at your Republic Day parade...I'm committed to promoting closer cooperation, closer partnership with India. That is my determination."
This State Visit from January 25 to 26, 2025 is an occasion for both countries to review the bilateral relationship and discuss the regional and global issues of mutual interest. Indonesia is a Comprehensive Strategic Partner of India and plays a key role in India's "Act East" policy to strengthen ties with East Asia and India's presence in the Indo-Pacific.
India and Indonesia have a long history of cultural and commercial ties dating back over two millennia. The exchange of Hindu, Buddhist, and Muslim traditions from India to Indonesia has shaped the cultural landscape of both countries and has created strong and lasting bonds.
The political bond between both the nations came in their phase of struggle for freedom. Indonesia's very first Republic Day guest was President Sukarno in 1950 and also the independence movements of Asian and African nations were supported by both, as in Bandung Conference and in Non-Aligned Movement.
India and Indonesia have recently been coming closer in defense. There is a Defence Cooperation Agreement signed in May 2018, and this visit is another step further to strengthen ties.
