By Ashok Kumar
Chief guest for the 76th Republic Day event, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto shocked the media and the gathering, including Prime minister Narendra Modi ang Droupadi Murmu when he praised first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and other Indian leaders for their support in establishing Indonesia. The President Mr. Subianto recalled Indonesian first President Sukarno that the first President of Indonesia, was the Chief Guest at India’s first Republic Day in 1950. This is a testament to our longstanding ties and strong democratic tradition. A distinguishing feature of President Prabowo’s visit was the participation of 352 Indonesian Armed Forces personnel comprising both the marching contingent and marching band in India’s Republic Day Parade.
President Prabowo also recalled how India had “donated” embassy land to Indonesia when Indonesia became independent.. Prabowo reiterated that the Indonesian Embassy in New Delhi is located on land donated by the Indian government, a gesture made before Indonesia gained recognition from numerous other countries. “This shows the depth of our relationship. Indonesia will never forget this support,” he emphasized
President Prabowo made headlines during a state banquet hosted in his honor by Indian President Droupadi Murmu on January 26, 2025. At this event, which was part of India’s 76th Republic Day celebrations, Subianto humorously revealed that a recent genetic sequencing test indicated he has “Indian DNA”. He elaborated by saying, “Everybody knows when I hear Indian music, I start dancing,” suggesting his love for Indian culture might be genetically influenced. This remark was met with laughter from dignitaries including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar.
The cultural significance of Subianto’s comment goes beyond humor; it underscores the deep-rooted historical and civilizational ties between India and Indonesia. Subianto highlighted that a significant part of the Indonesian language comes from Sanskrit, and many Indonesian names are of Sanskrit origin, further emphasizing the influence of ancient Indian civilization on Indonesian culture.
This event also provided an opportunity to discuss the ongoing and future cooperation between the two nations, with Subianto expressing admiration for PM Modi’s leadership, particularly in poverty alleviation. The visit included the signing of several Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) in fields like health, traditional medicine, and maritime security, showcasing the intent to strengthen bilateral relations.
The banquet and Subianto’s comments have been widely covered in Indian media and discussed on social platforms, reflecting both the light-heartedness of the moment and the serious undertones of cultural and diplomatic ties. Posts on X (formerly Twitter) reflected a mix of sentiments, with some users celebrating the cultural connection while others highlighted the humor in the situation.
In summary, Prabowo Subianto’s ‘Indian DNA’ remark was not just a jest but served as a poignant reminder of the shared cultural heritage and the potential for deeper collaboration between Indonesia and India.
