Prabowo, Modi Turn to Ancient Temple to Cement Modern India-Indonesia Ties

Caption: Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto (right) embraces Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi after delivering a joint press statement during Modi's state visit at Merdeka Palace in Jakarta on Tuesday, July 7, 2026. Photo: Bakom RI

JAKARTA, Investortrust.id — Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi traveled to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Prambanan Temple in Yogyakarta on Wednesday, where the two leaders are set to launch an ambitious cultural restoration partnership that has become a centerpiece of their expanding strategic relationship.

The visit follows Modi's state visit to Jakarta on Tuesday, during which the two governments announced agreements spanning defense, artificial intelligence, digital infrastructure, healthcare, maritime cooperation and critical minerals. The Prambanan stop adds a cultural dimension to an increasingly comprehensive bilateral agenda.

Why Prambanan Matters

The visit illustrates how Indonesia and India are increasingly pairing cultural diplomacy with economic and strategic cooperation. As both nations seek to strengthen their roles in the Indo-Pacific, shared civilizational heritage has become another pillar supporting closer ties alongside trade, investment, defense and technology.

The restoration initiative also highlights India's growing use of cultural heritage projects to deepen diplomatic engagement across Asia, while helping Indonesia preserve one of Southeast Asia's most significant archaeological sites.

Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya said Wednesday morning that Prabowo and Modi would jointly visit Prambanan, Indonesia's largest Hindu temple complex.

"Prambanan is a national cultural heritage site recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site," Teddy said. "Built around the ninth century, it is the largest Hindu temple in Indonesia."

A Decade-Long Conservation Project

Minister of State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi said the two leaders will formally sign a bilateral agreement on the conservation of Prambanan before inaugurating the cooperation during the visit.

The restoration will be carried out jointly by the Indonesian government and the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), India's national agency responsible for archaeological conservation.

According to Prasetyo, the initiative—branded the Indonesia-India Collaborative Cultural Heritage Conservation program—will run from 2026 through 2036 and focus on restoring more than 200 perwara, or subsidiary temples, located within Prambanan's outer courtyard.

The project will employ LiDAR surveys, artificial intelligence-assisted digital reconstruction, anastylosis—the internationally recognized method of rebuilding monuments using original stones—and comprehensive digital documentation.

Officials said the collaboration is expected to strengthen scientific documentation, improve site management, preserve the physical structures, and facilitate knowledge transfer between Indonesian and Indian conservation experts.

Religious and Cultural Significance

Beyond the official ceremony, Modi is scheduled to perform Hindu prayers at Shiva Temple inside the Prambanan complex, including the Shinta Pooja ritual. The two leaders will also tour Nandi Temple, receive a briefing on the history of Shiva Temple, and watch the traditional Ramayana ballet performance staged against the backdrop of the ancient temple complex.

Prambanan, constructed around A.D. 856 during the Mataram Kingdom, consists of 240 temple structures dedicated primarily to Shiva, Vishnu and Brahma. While 22 temples have been fully restored, another 218 remain in ruins and await reconstruction.

Building on Broader Strategic Ties

Speaking after bilateral talks at Merdeka Palace in Jakarta on Tuesday, Modi said the two countries were entering a new phase of cooperation.

"In recent years, Indonesia and India have enjoyed renewed energy in bilateral relations, greater confidence, and deeper cooperation," Modi said during the joint press conference.

He said the partnership now spans defense, technology, education, culture and economic development.

"I am confident today's meeting marks a new beginning in the Indonesia-India partnership that will bring positive benefits," Modi said.

Modi also described Prambanan as a powerful symbol of the centuries-old cultural links between the two countries.

"The temple is more than a thousand years old and symbolizes the shared cultural heritage between Indonesia and India," he said Tuesday while announcing Wednesday's visit.

Prabowo welcomed India's participation in conserving the UNESCO-listed complex, calling the project another milestone in strengthening bilateral cooperation.

"We welcome the restoration and conservation of the Prambanan Temple complex, a UNESCO World Heritage Site," the Indonesian president said after the bilateral meeting.

The restoration initiative was first discussed during Prabowo's visit to India in 2025 and has since evolved into one of the flagship projects underpinning the two countries' broader comprehensive strategic partnership.