Indonesia, India Forge World Heritage Conservation Partnership at Prambanan Temple

President Prabowo Subianto and Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi visited the Prambanan Temple complex in Sleman regency, the Special Region of Yogyakarta (DIY), on Wednesday (07/08). The visit reaffirmed that the relationship between Indonesia and India is founded not only on cooperation in various strategic fields but also on historical and cultural ties dating back more than a millennium.

In a joint press statement following the tour of the temple complex, President Prabowo stated that Prambanan Temple is one of the world’s remarkable masterpieces of civilization, holding significant meaning for both Indonesia and the international community.

“Today, I have the opportunity to accompany His Excellency the Prime Minister of the Republic of India, Mr. Narendra Modi, on a visit to Prambanan Temple, one of the masterpieces of world civilization and a cultural heritage, a source of pride not only for the Indonesian people but also for the world,” President Prabowo said.

President Prabowo explained that the visit held special significance, as Prambanan Temple commemorates the strong cultural ties between Indonesia and India, which were established more than a thousand years ago. According to the President, the relations between the two countries are not only built through political, economic, and defense cooperation but also rooted in cultural values, science, and a spirit of mutual respect passed down from generation to generation.

“We can still see and feel the traces of that history to this day,” the President stated.

Furthermore, the President emphasized that Prambanan Temple is a symbol of the great Nusantara civilization that upholds science, art, spirituality, and humanistic values. Additionally, the reliefs depicting the Ramayana story carved on the temple’s walls serve as evidence of the close historical and cultural ties between the two peoples.

“I hope this visit will further cement the friendship between the peoples of Indonesia and India. Culture is a bridge that can unite nations, strengthen mutual understanding, and build trust as we face a shared future,” said the President.

On this occasion, President Prabowo also expressed his appreciation for the agreement on the conservation and restoration of the Prambanan Temple complex between the two governments. This agreement is expected to serve as a tangible manifestation of the two nations’ collaboration in safeguarding and preserving one of the world’s cultural heritage sites for future generations.

President Prabowo ended his remarks by expressing his appreciation for PM Narendra Modi’s three-day state visit to Indonesia. He expressed hope that the friendly relations between the two nations would grow even stronger and continue to yield concrete, mutually beneficial cooperation. (BPMI of Presidential Secretariat) (FI/AW)