In 1950 repeat, Indonesian Prez Prabowo Subianto to grace Republic Day parade as Chief Guest
New Delhi: Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto will attend India's 76th Republic Day celebrations at Kartvya Path on Thursday, highlighting the longstanding ties between the two nations. This marks the first time Prabowo is visiting India on a state trip, and he will be the fourth Indonesian president to participate in the Republic Day festivities.
Indonesia's participation will include a 352-member marching and band contingent, a historic first for an Indonesian contingent at a national day parade abroad. The contingent will march down Kartvya Path during the celebrations, showcasing the strong cultural and military ties between the two countries.
The relationship between India and Indonesia spans over a millennium, rooted in cultural and trade links. One prominent example is the Bali Yatra festival, which honors the historic maritime journeys of Indian seafarers to Bali.
Indonesia, a key partner in the ASEAN region, remains one of India's largest trading allies. In the 2023-24 period, bilateral trade between the two nations reached US$ 29.40 billion. Additionally, India has made significant investments in Indonesia, totaling USD 1.56 billion in sectors including infrastructure, power, textiles, automotive, mining, and banking.
As part of the BRICS group, Indonesia has also expressed its appreciation for India's support in its bid to join the emerging economies' forum.
Earlier this week, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Prabowo met at Hyderabad House in Delhi, where the two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. The discussion focused on bolstering defense, security, maritime cooperation, economic ties, and people-to-people connections.
During the visit, both nations signed and renewed five Memorandums of Understanding, covering areas such as health, traditional medicine, and maritime security.
President Droupadi Murmu also hosted a special banquet for Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, recalling the historical significance of Indonesia’s first Republic Day participation 75 years ago. ANI