Prime Minister Narendra Modi was on Tuesday conferred with the Bintang Adipurna (Star of Indonesia), the country’s highest civilian honour, during his bilateral visit to the Southeast Asian nation.
Receiving the award from Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, Modi dedicated the prestigious honour to the people of India, calling it a testament to the enduring civilisational ties between the two major democracies.
“This honour belongs to the crores of Indians; it reflects the sentiments of the people of Indonesia and the historic, deep-rooted bonds between our two nations,” Modi said during a joint press interaction with President Prabowo.
Addressing current global geopolitical turbulence, the Prime Minister emphasized that dialogue and diplomacy have become more critical than ever. On the issue of Palestine, he reiterated India’s firm support for a two-state solution and long-term regional peace.
Modi expressed confidence that both countries would successfully realize their respective developmental goals—’Indonesia Emas’ (Golden Indonesia) and a developed India. To deepen democratic cooperation, the two nations are set to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between their respective Election Commissions.
The Prime Minister also noted that the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership established in 2018 has given new depth, energy, and confidence to bilateral ties, which are now scaling new heights across all sectors.
Established in 1959, the Bintang Republik Indonesia Adipurna is the highest class of recognition in the country, automatically invested in the Indonesian President upon inauguration and occasionally bestowed upon foreign heads of state who have played a pivotal role in strengthening bilateral ties.
Earlier on Tuesday, the Prime Minister received a grand ceremonial welcome in Jakarta, featuring a guard of honour, horse-mounted guards, and traditional cultural performances. President Prabowo received him personally with a warm hug. The high-level hospitality began on Monday when Indonesian military fighter jets escorted Modi’s aircraft upon entering the country’s airspace.
The July 6–8 visit, undertaken at the personal invitation of President Prabowo, is Modi’s fourth visit to Indonesia and the first bilateral visit since the relationship was formally elevated in 2018.
The visit forms the initial leg of a wider three-nation diplomatic tour, which will also take the Prime Minister to Australia and New Zealand to bolster India’s Act East Policy, MAHASAGAR Vision, and its outlook towards a free and open Indo-Pacific.
During his stay, Modi will interact with members of the Indian diaspora and join President Prabowo for a visit to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Prambanan Temple Complex in Yogyakarta.
