Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto arrived in New Delhi on Friday night for his first official state visit to India. The Indonesian leader, who will be in India from January 23 to 26, is set to participate in India’s 76th Republic Day celebrations as the Chief Guest. Upon his arrival, President Prabowo Subianto was warmly received by Pabitra Margherita, the Minister of State for External Affairs, at the New Delhi airport.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) expressed that this visit would further strengthen the India-Indonesia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. In a statement, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal welcomed President Prabowo Subianto, emphasizing that the visit would enhance ties between the two nations. “A warm welcome to President Prabowo Prabowo Subianto of Indonesia as he arrives in New Delhi on his first State Visit to India. This visit will further strengthen the India-Indonesia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership,” Jaiswal said in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Before departing for India, President Prabowo Subianto had shared details of his visit, highlighting the purpose of strengthening strategic cooperation between India and Indonesia, particularly in the areas of security, maritime affairs, and digital technology development. The Indonesian President also announced that after completing his visit to India, he would travel to Malaysia at the invitation of the Malaysian King, Sultan Ibrahim, and Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.
President Prabowo Subianto’s itinerary includes key meetings with Indian leaders. He is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, President Droupadi Murmu, and Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar during his stay in India. On January 24, President Prabowo Subianto will hold discussions with External Affairs Minister Jaishankar at the Taj Mahal Hotel in New Delhi at 4:00 PM.
On January 25, President Prabowo Subianto will participate in a ceremonial reception at Rashtrapati Bhavan, followed by a wreath-laying ceremony at Rajghat to pay homage to Mahatma Gandhi. In the afternoon, the Indonesian President will meet Prime Minister Modi at Hyderabad House, where they are expected to exchange memorandums of understanding (MoUs) and hold a joint press briefing. Later in the day, President Prabowo Subianto will meet Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar at the Taj Mahal Hotel at 4:00 PM, and in the evening, he will meet President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan at 7:00 PM.
On January 26, President Prabowo Subianto will attend the Republic Day Parade at Kartvya Path as the Chief Guest. This marks a significant moment in India-Indonesia relations, as it will be the first time an Indonesian marching and band contingent participates in an overseas national day parade. A 352-member contingent from Indonesia will march in the parade, showcasing the deepening military and cultural ties between the two nations.
Following the parade, President Prabowo Subianto will attend the “At Home” reception hosted by President Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan before departing for Indonesia later in the afternoon at 5:30 PM.
The visit comes at a time when both India and Indonesia are focused on enhancing their bilateral relations. In 2018, during an official visit to Indonesia, Prime Minister Narendra Modi elevated India-Indonesia ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. The two countries also adopted a shared vision of maritime cooperation in the Indo-Pacific.
The leaders of both nations met on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in November 2024 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, marking their first meeting. This visit by President Prabowo Subianto to India further solidifies the growing strategic, economic, and cultural ties between the two nations.
In addition to bilateral meetings and discussions, several MoUs are expected to be concluded during President Prabowo Subianto’s visit. On the sidelines of the visit, the third CEO Forum between India and Indonesia will be held, aimed at fostering greater business and economic cooperation between the two countries.
This will be the fourth time an Indonesian President has attended India’s Republic Day celebrations, with President Prabowo Subianto’s participation adding a new dimension to the growing partnership between the two countries. The visit is expected to pave the way for deeper collaboration in key areas such as defense, trade, technology, and regional security.
With India and Indonesia both playing pivotal roles in the Indo-Pacific region, this visit serves as a crucial step toward strengthening bilateral ties and working together on shared goals for a prosperous and secure future.
