Indonesian President Prabowo to Attend Republic Day Parade and Strengthen Bilateral Ties with India

New Delhi: Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto will be the Chief Guest at India’s 76th Republic Day celebrations. During this landmark visit, a 352-member marching and band contingent from Indonesia will participate in the Republic Day Parade, held at Kartvya Path in New Delhi. This will mark the first time an Indonesian marching and band contingent has taken part in a national day parade abroad.

The State Visit by President Prabowo will take place from January 25-26, 2025, and is expected to enhance the longstanding ties between India and Indonesia. This visit will cover a wide range of bilateral topics, including political, defense, trade, healthcare, digital technologies, energy, and cultural cooperation. The visit will also witness the signing of multiple Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs), alongside the third CEO Forum discussions.

This will be President Prabowo’s first visit to India as Head of State. Notably, Indonesia’s first President Sukarno was the Chief Guest at India’s inaugural Republic Day in 1950. Prabowo will be the fourth Indonesian President to attend the celebrations.

The strong ties between India and Indonesia have continued to flourish over the years. In 2018, during Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Indonesia, the two nations elevated their bilateral relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. The India-Indonesia Maritime Cooperation was also highlighted, aligning with the shared vision of a strong maritime partnership in the Indo-Pacific region.

Economic Cooperation and Investment
Indonesia plays a key role in India’s Act East Policy. Bilateral trade between the two nations reached USD 29.40 billion in the 2023-24 period, with India’s investments in Indonesia amounting to USD 1.56 billion. These investments span sectors such as infrastructure, power, textiles, automotive, mining, and banking.

In defense, the Defense Cooperation Agreement signed in 2018 continues to solidify relations, with joint military exercises and coordinated patrols strengthening ties between the two nations. Additionally, India and Indonesia have strong cooperation in space exploration, with ISRO supporting Indian satellite missions through ground stations in Indonesia.

Healthcare Collaboration
In healthcare, Apollo Hospital has partnered with the Indonesian Mayapada Hospital Group to establish a green hospital in Ibu Kota Nusantara (IKN), Indonesia’s new capital. The collaboration aims to provide clinical support, technical training, and affordable healthcare to Indonesians. Exports of Indian pharmaceuticals and medical devices to Indonesia have increased significantly, reflecting the growing healthcare partnership.

People-to-People Connectivity
In terms of cultural and educational exchanges, India and Indonesia share a strong historical link, exemplified by the annual Bali Yatra festival, celebrating Indian seafaring history. There are over 150,000 persons of Indian origin in Indonesia, many of whom have contributed significantly to the country’s development. Additionally, India’s scholarships and initiatives like ITEC and TCS of the Colombo Plan continue to support Indonesia’s educational and professional growth.

Strengthening Travel and Connectivity
In August 2023, direct flight connectivity was established between India and Indonesia, enhancing tourism and business exchanges. With over 600,000 Indian tourists visiting Bali in 2023-24, India has become the second largest source of tourists to the island.

President Prabowo’s visit will serve as a significant moment for the two countries to review their bilateral relationship comprehensively and discuss regional and global issues of mutual interest.

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