
Prabowo Sabianto India Visit: Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto will be the chief guest at India’s 76th Republic Day celebrations. This will be his first visit to India as Indonesian President. President Subianto will be the fourth President of Indonesia to be the Chief Guest of India’s Republic Day celebrations. For the first time in the year 1950, on the occasion of India’s first Republic Day, the then President of Indonesia Sukarno came to India as the chief guest.
A 352-member marching squad and band will participate in India’s Republic Day parade along with Indonesian President Subianto. This is the first time in Indonesia’s political history that its marching and band contingent is taking part in the Republic Day or National Day parade of another country.
Why is this visit of Subianto special?
When Indonesian President Subianto visits India, bilateral relations between the two countries will be discussed and reviewed. In this, there will be talks on political, defense and security cooperation, trade and investment, health, digital technology, energy, culture, connectivity, tourism and mutual relations between the people of the two countries. During this period, signing of many MoUs and many big announcements are also possible. The third CEO Forum will also be organized on the sidelines of this tour. In this CEO Forum, both the countries will discuss on connectivity, industrialization, health care, food security and advancement of technology. Through this platform, key policy makers, industry leaders, CEOs and experts will discuss the possibilities of development and investment.
Where is Indonesia in Act East Policy?
Relations between India and Indonesia are very deep and good. Indonesia has its own unique place in India’s Act East policy. Economic cooperation between India and Indonesia is the highest in the entire ASEAN region. Bilateral trade between the two countries was US $ 29.40 billion in 2023-24. India has invested $1.56 billion in Indonesia, especially in the sectors of infra, energy, textile, steel, automotive, mining, banking and consumer goods.
Apart from this, a defense cooperation agreement was signed in the year 2018 to promote defense cooperation between India and Indonesia. Under which the Air Force, Navy and Army of both the countries remain in constant touch with each other. From time to time, the Army of the two countries participates in the Garuda Shakti military exercise and the Navy participates in the joint naval exercise Samudra Shakti.
India-Indonesia connectivity
Direct air connectivity between India and Indonesia has started from the year 2023. Direct flight service is available between Mumbai-Jakarta, Delhi-Bali and Bengaluru-Bali. More than 6 lakh Indian tourists are expected to reach Bali in 2023-24. About 1 lakh 50 thousand people of Indian origin live in Indonesia, whose ancestors migrated from India to Indonesia in the 19th and 20th centuries. About 14 thousand Indian citizens (NRIs) live in Indonesia.
When did PM Modi visit Indonesia?
Prime Minister Narendra Modi made an official visit to Indonesia in the year 2018. During this visit of PM Modi, the bilateral relations between India and Indonesia were transformed into a comprehensive strategic partnership. In the year 2024, PM Modi and President Subianto met on the sidelines of the G20 in Brazil. This was the first meeting between the two leaders. Preparations are also in full swing for the visit of the President of Indonesia to India. India is ready to welcome its guest.
Also read: Will the President of Indonesia go to Pakistan after India? Why did the problem arise before Republic Day?