Indonesia, India Deepen Strategic Partnership After Modi's State Visit

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - India has described Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Indonesia as “special and truly extraordinary,” highlighting the rare ceremonial honors he received upon arrival.

The warm welcome included a personal greeting from President Prabowo Subianto at Halim Perdanakusuma Air Force Base and a dramatic escort by Indonesian fighter jets as Modi’s plane entered the country’s airspace.

At a press briefing in Jakarta on Tuesday evening, Secretary (East) of India’s Ministry of External Affairs, Rudrendra Tandon, emphasized the significance of the gestures.

“There was the honor of fighter jets welcoming him, and the personal gesture of President Prabowo receiving him at the airport. Combined, this made the visit deeply memorable,” Tandon said, as quoted by Antara.

Three F-16s and two Sukhoi Su-27/30 aircraft of the Indonesian Air Force accompanied Modi’s presidential plane until landing on July 6. The honors continued with the awarding of Indonesia’s highest decoration, the Bintang Republik Indonesia Adipurna, recognizing Modi’s role in strengthening bilateral ties.

While the visit produced 16 cooperation agreements across sectors such as defense, health, agriculture, telecommunications, education, and space exploration, Indian officials stressed that the atmosphere of warmth and emotional closeness left the strongest impression.

“Of course, many agendas were accomplished, but the atmosphere of this visit is something I cannot fully describe. For us, it was truly exceptional,” Tandon remarked.

Indonesia and India have maintained a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership since 2018. During his two-night stay, PM Modi and President Prabowo witnessed the signing of the agreements at Merdeka Palace in Jakarta.

PM Modi is also scheduled to travel to Yogyakarta on July 8 to visit Prambanan Temple, part of ongoing cooperation in cultural restoration.

This visit, marked by both symbolism and substance, underscores the deepening ties between the two nations and sets the stage for broader collaboration in the years ahead. ***