President Prabowo Subianto Kicks Off India Working Visit

President Prabowo Subianto prior to the departure, Halim Perdanakusuma Air Force Base, East Jakarta, Thursday (01/23). (Photo by: BPMI)

President Prabowo Subianto departed from Halim Perdanakusuma Air Force Base, Jakarta, on Thursday (01/23) for Palam Air Force Station, New Delhi, India, for a state visit.

Prior to the departure, President Prabowo in his press conference stated that India is a significant friendly country for Indonesia.

“Since 1949, when we were still fighting for independence, they sent medical aid, financial aid, etc. to support our cause for independence,” the President said.

In India, the Head of State is scheduled to attend the Indian Republic Day Ceremony on January 26, 2025, as the Chief Guest. For the record, the Ceremony began in 1950 with President Soekarno as the first Chief Guest.

“Our country has the honorary place at the forefront of the parade as an honorary contingent. There will be 352 Indonesian National Defense Forces soldiers and cadets from the military academy at the ceremony,” he said, adding that the Indonesian contingent will enter after the opening troops and veterans from the host country.

In addition, President Prabowo is slated to attend a welcoming ceremony from President of India Droupadi Murmu at the Rashtrapati Bhavan Presidential Palace, followed by a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi at Hyderabad House.

“We will discuss agreements and MoUs, covering several areas ranging from health, exchange of cultural programs, security issues, and maritime safety to technology and digital development. I will also meet with Indian industry figures and entrepreneurs who seek to invest in Indonesia,” he added.

From India, President Prabowo is scheduled to leave for Malaysia to pay a state visit and hold a bilateral meeting with Yang di-Pertuan Agong of Malaysia Sultan Ibrahim. In addition, President Prabowo is also scheduled to meet with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

“We will collaborate more. As the founding countries of ASEAN, together with Singapore, Thailand, the Philippines, and Brunei, we are the driving force of ASEAN. Certainly, now ASEAN has evolved and I think the role of Indonesia and Malaysia in carrying out ASEAN cooperation and other strategic cooperation is crucial,” he remarked. (BPMI Presidential Secretariat/ABD) (GWH/MUR)