Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Indonesia, particularly Jakarta, carries significance that extends well beyond routine diplomacy. Indonesia is home to the world’s largest Muslim population, making it a crucial partner for India in the Indo-Pacific region. Yet, despite being a Muslim-majority nation, Indonesia also preserves a civilisational heritage deeply rooted in Hindu and Buddhist traditions. It was this shared cultural legacy that formed an important part of Modi’s visit.
One of the highlights of the trip was the Prime Minister’s visit to the historic Prambanan Temple, one of Southeast Asia’s most remarkable Hindu monuments and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. India reiterated its commitment to supporting the preservation and conservation of this invaluable cultural treasure.
Prambanan is the largest Hindu temple complex in Indonesia and among the most significant in Southeast Asia. Constructed between the 9th and 10th centuries, the temple is dedicated to the Hindu trinity: Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu and Lord Brahma. The complex consists of nearly 240 temples spread across approximately 40 hectares. At its centre stands the towering temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, rising nearly 47 metres high. Alongside it are temples dedicated to Vishnu and Brahma, while several smaller shrines house idols of Goddess Durga, Lord Ganesha and other Hindu deities.
Indonesia is globally known for its magnificent Buddhist monument, Borobudur, but Prambanan reflects another equally significant aspect of the country’s cultural history. It stands as a reminder that the Ramayana and Mahabharata have shaped Indonesian civilisation for centuries.
During his address to the Indonesian Parliament, Prime Minister Modi underlined this historic bond. He reportedly said that although India and Indonesia are separated by the sea, the ocean has never divided the two nations. Instead, shared history, culture and the common heritage of the Ramayana and the Mahabharata have connected them for centuries.
These two epics are not merely religious texts but have become an inseparable part of Southeast Asia’s cultural identity, literature and national heritage. The ancient Kakawin Ramayana, composed in Old Javanese, remains one of the finest examples of Indonesia’s literary tradition. This shared civilisational history emphasises that the relationship between India and Indonesia is built on far deeper foundations than contemporary diplomacy alone.
The visit also marked an important diplomatic milestone. Prime Minister Modi was conferred Indonesia’s highest civilian honour, the Bintang Adipurna of the Republic of Indonesia. He also became the first Indian Prime Minister to address the Indonesian Parliament, where he outlined both the historical ties and the roadmap for the future of bilateral relations.
Strategic cooperation between the two countries also received renewed attention during the visit. Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto held extensive discussions with Prime Minister Modi. Apart from the official meetings, state banquet and ceremonial engagements, the two leaders spent considerable time discussing ways to strengthen cooperation across multiple sectors.
Expressing his gratitude after receiving Indonesia’s highest honour, Prime Minister Modi reportedly said that he was deeply touched by the affection and respect shown to him. According to him, the honour symbolised the historic warmth and enduring friendship between India and Indonesia. He also thanked President Prabowo Subianto and the Government of Indonesia for the recognition and hospitality.
Another important aspect of the visit lies in its wider geopolitical context. At a time when China has been pursuing an increasingly assertive policy in the South China Sea and several countries are recalibrating their diplomatic strategies, India is strengthening its engagement with key partners across the Indo-Pacific. While maintaining balanced diplomatic relations with both Japan and China, India is simultaneously working to deepen its strategic partnership with Indonesia, recognising Jakarta’s growing importance in regional stability.
The visit also produced a significant breakthrough in defence cooperation. Indonesia became the first foreign country to procure India’s indigenously developed ASTRA Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile (BVRAAM), developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). Alongside the agreement on cooperation related to the BrahMos missile system, the ASTRA missile agreement, signed in Jakarta in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Prabowo Subianto, represents a major achievement for India’s defence diplomacy.
Following the signing of the defence agreements, Modi reportedly said that the ASTRA deal would not only strengthen India’s defence exports but also reinforce the ‘Make in India, Make for the World’ initiative. According to him, it would further strengthen India’s indigenous missile development ecosystem and showcase the country’s growing capabilities in defence manufacturing.
The visit also generated a warm public response. As Prime Minister Modi travelled through the streets of Jakarta, large crowds gathered on both sides of the roads to welcome him enthusiastically. BJP leader Amit Malviya later shared the visuals on social media, describing them as evidence of Prime Minister Modi’s growing global appeal and international stature.
Overall, although Indonesia often receives less public attention in India’s foreign policy discussions than some other countries, this visit has considerable strategic significance. It strengthened civilisational ties, expanded defence cooperation, reinforced India’s Indo-Pacific strategy, and deepened one of New Delhi’s most important partnerships in Southeast Asia. From the perspective of India’s sovereign interests and long-term foreign policy, the visit to Indonesia stands out as an important diplomatic success for Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
