After Republic day celebration, during a dinner hosted by President Droupadi Murmu on Sunday, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto humorously expressed his connection to India by stating that he possesses “Indian DNA.” This light-hearted remark elicited laughter from the assembled dignitaries, including Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. President Subianto was present at the Republic Day parade that day, accompanied by a distinguished delegation comprising ministers, senior officials, and a business team from Indonesia. A notable highlight of the event was the performance by the Genderang Suling Canka Lokananta, a 190-member ensemble band from the Indonesian Military Academy, which exemplified the discipline and rich military traditions of Indonesia.
During his three-day visit, India and Indonesia formalized and renewed five Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) across various sectors, such as health, traditional medicine, and maritime security. These agreements are designed to enhance the partnership between the two countries and promote mutual development. President Subianto’s comments, along with his enthusiastic involvement in the Republic Day festivities, emphasized the strong and lasting friendship between India and Indonesia, which is founded on a shared history and a collective aspiration for a prosperous future.