RRI.CO.ID, Yogyakarta - Indonesia's President Prabowo Subianto and Indian Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi officially launched a cooperation program for the conservation of the Prambanan Temple complex, located on the border between the Special Region of Yogyakarta and Central Java, on Wednesday, July 8, 2026. This cooperation on the UNESCO cultural heritage site follows up on an understanding reached between Indonesia and India during President Prabowo’s visit to India last year.

Prabowo and Modi met at Adisucipto Air Force Base in Sleman Regency before boarding the presidential helicopter to Prambanan Temple. They had the opportunity to view the complex—home to 240 Hindu and Buddhist temples—from the air before returning to the air base and continuing their journey to the site by car.

Upon arrival, PM Modi joined members of the local Hindu community in prayer in front of the main temple compound, which consists of eight principal structures. The complex was built around 850 CE at the direction of Rakai Pikatan, the ruler of the ancient Hindu kingdom of Mataram.

Modi then met with Prabowo again to officially launch the cooperation on the conservation of Prambanan Temple. The conservation effort involves InJourney, Indonesia's state-owned tourism holding company that manages the temple complex, and the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), India's national archaeological agency, which has extensive experience in conservation projects, including work at Prambanan Temple.

In a joint statement, President Prabowo welcomed the conservation partnership for Prambanan Temple. He said it reflects the enduring civilizational ties between Indonesia and India for more than a thousand years.

"On this happy occasion, I warmly welcome the agreement on the conservation and restoration of the Prambanan Temple complex between the Government of the Republic of Indonesia and the Government of the Republic of India," Prabowo said, as quoted by the Indonesian Presidential Secretariat.

"Culture is a bridge that can unite nations, strengthen mutual understanding, and build trust to face the future together," he said.

Meanwhile, Modi expressed confidence that the restoration work could proceed effectively and even be completed ahead of schedule. The work is scheduled to be completed by 2029, and he has promised to return to the site when it is completed.

"Before you all, let me reaffirm my promise that through our collective efforts, we will complete this work before 2029, and together we will celebrate its restoration and inauguration as a grand festival," he said.

Modi also expressed his gratitude for being able to offer prayers at the complex. He stated that the visit provided an opportunity to pray for the strengthening of the relationship between the two nations.

"I pray here for the strengthening of relations between India and Indonesia, for the strengthening of friendship between our people, for the well-being of the people of both our countries, and for rapid progress and prosperity for both our nations," Modi said.