Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, who was the chief guest at India’s 76th Republic Day celebrations, shared a light-hearted moment during a dinner hosted in his honor by Indian President Droupadi Murmu. Subianto humorously revealed that a recent DNA test indicated he has Indian ancestry, which he playfully attributed to his affinity for Indian music.
“A few weeks ago, I had my genetic sequencing test and my DNA test, which determined I have Indian DNA. Everybody knows that when I hear Indian music, I start dancing. It must be a part of my Indian genes,” Subianto quipped, eliciting laughter from the attendees, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar.
During his visit, Subianto took the opportunity to underscore the deep-rooted cultural and historical connections between India and Indonesia. He noted the significant influence of ancient Indian civilization on Indonesian culture, particularly in language. “A very important part of our language comes from Sanskrit. Many Indonesian names are Sanskrit names. In our daily lives, the influence of ancient Indian civilization is very strong,” he stated, highlighting the shared heritage that binds the two nations.
The Indonesian leader expressed his admiration for Prime Minister Modi’s leadership style, describing it as “inspirational.” He remarked, “I am very proud to be here in India. I am not a professional politician; I am not a good diplomat. I say what is in my heart. I came here for a few days but learned a lot from Prime Minister Modi’s leadership and commitments.”
Subianto specifically praised Modi’s dedication to poverty alleviation and support for marginalized communities. “His commitment to alleviating poverty, helping the weakest parts of your society, is an inspiration for us,” he said. He extended his wishes for prosperity, peace, and greatness to the people of India, expressing hope for continued close partnership and friendship between Indonesia and India.
Earlier in the day, President Subianto participated in the Republic Day celebrations at Kartavya Path, where he received a ceremonial welcome alongside President Murmu and Prime Minister Modi. His visit marks a significant moment in the ongoing diplomatic relations between the two countries, emphasizing their shared values and mutual respect.
As both nations look to strengthen their ties, Subianto’s visit serves as a reminder of the enduring connections that transcend borders, rooted in a rich history of cultural exchange and cooperation.
