In a light-hearted moment at a dinner hosted by Indian President Droupadi Murmu on Sunday, Indonesia’s President Prabowo Subianto made a remark that left the room in fits of laughter. As he spoke about his connection to India, Mr. Prabowo Subianto humorously claimed that he had “Indian DNA,” causing amusement among the dignitaries present, including President Droupadi Murmu, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The Indonesian President shared a personal anecdote during his address, saying, “A few weeks ago, I had my genetic sequencing test, and they told me that I have Indian DNA. Everybody knows that when I hear Indian music, I start dancing,” eliciting laughter from those in attendance. He went on to discuss the deep historical ties between India and Indonesia, mentioning that the countries share ancient civilizational links. “India and Indonesia have a long, ancient history together. We have civilizational links, and even now, a very important part of our language comes from Sanskrit. Many names of Indonesia are actually Sanskrit names, and in our daily life, the influence of ancient Indian civilization is very strong. I think it’s also part of our genetics,” Mr. Prabowo Subianto added.
The remarks not only brought levity to the evening but also reinforced the enduring cultural and historical bonds between the two nations. Indonesia’s President also praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, emphasizing the lessons he has learned from Narendra Modi’s approach to governance. “I am very proud to be here (in India). I am not a professional politician, I am not a good diplomat. I say what is in my heart. I came here for a few days but learned a lot from Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership and commitments. His commitment to alleviating poverty, helping the marginalized, and assisting the weakest part of your society, is an inspiration for us,” Prabowo Subianto said, acknowledging Modi’s leadership qualities.
During his visit, Mr. Prabowo Subianto expressed his desire to strengthen the partnership between India and Indonesia, wishing the Indian people “prosperity, peace, and greatness.” He added that he hopes both nations will continue to be close partners and friends in the future.
Mr. Prabowo Subianto was the Chief Guest at the 76th Republic Day celebrations in India, where he was accompanied by a high-level Indonesian delegation, including several ministers, senior officials, and a business delegation. The event also featured a performance by Indonesia’s Genderang Suling Canka Lokananta, a 190-member ensemble band from the Indonesian Military Academy (Akmil), showcasing the country’s discipline and military traditions.
Throughout his three-day visit to India, President Prabowo Subianto and his Indian counterparts signed and renewed five important Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) covering a wide range of fields such as health, traditional medicine, and maritime security, further cementing the collaborative spirit between the two nations. The visit marked a significant chapter in India–Indonesia relations, highlighting mutual respect, shared values, and the strengthening of diplomatic and cultural ties.
