PM Modi Hails Indonesia-India Bond, Calls President Prabowo 'My Brother'
JAKARTA, investortrust.id - Indian Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Damodardas Modi has revealed his close relationship with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto. Modi, who called Prabowo "my brother," likened his relationship with Prabowo to the close ties between India and Indonesia.
"My brother, President Prabowo, has made this event even more special for me through his presence," said PM Modi during a virtual speech at the inauguration of the Jakarta Murugan Temple in Jakarta, on Sunday, Feb 2, 2025.
"Although I am physically hundreds of kilometers away from Indonesia, my heart is as close to this event as the relationship between India and Indonesia," Modi said.
He added that he believes that President Prabowo brings kindness to the people of India and Indonesia.
The inauguration ceremony of the Jakarta Murugan Temple—also known as Shri Sanathana Dharma Aalayam—was attended by around 2,000 Hindus from various regions in Indonesia and 15 other countries. The temple, located in the Daan Mogot area, Kalideres, West Jakarta, is the largest Hindu temple in Southeast Asia. President Prabowo was unable to attend the event due to health problems.
A Fortunate Connection
PM Modi expressed his gratitude for being a part of the Jakarta Murugan Temple. "President Prabowo visited India a few days ago, bringing the love of the Indian people," he said.
"With a sincere heart, I congratulate Hindus around the world, including Indonesia, on the good opportunity to hold this event. I pray that the Jakarta Murugan Temple will be glorified through the Triuppugal hymn and the Skanda Shashti Kavacham mantra."
He also thanked various parties who had made the event a success, including Hashim Djojohadikusumo, Chairman of the Advisory Board of the Sanathana Dharma Society Movement of the Archipelago (Gema Sadhana). Gema Sadhana is an Indonesian Hindu organization.
President Prabowo recently made a state visit to India. During the visit, Prabowo discussed various issues with PM Modi, particularly the relationship between the two countries. The Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin), led by Chairman Anindya Novyan Bakrie, accompanied President Prabowo's visit to the Indian subcontinent and held the Indonesia-India CEO Forum and Business Matching.
Strengthening Bilateral Ties
The Indonesia-India CEO Forum and Business Matching not only resulted in a memorandum of understanding (MoU) joint statement between the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) and The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII). Six MoUs were also signed between Indonesian and Indian companies during the event.
These MoUs include agreements between PT Indosat Tbk (ISAT) and AIonOS India Private Limited in the fields of artificial intelligence (AI) and digital talent, PT Indosat Tbk and Wadhwani Operating Foundation in the field of digital talent, and PT Sejahteraraya Anugrahjaya Tbk (SRAJ) or Mayapada Healthcare Group and Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Limited India in the fields of operation maintenance (hospital project in Batam), digitalization diagnostic (monitoring), and upskilling talent.
There were also agreements between Nodeflux (Indonesia) and XDXLink (India) in the fields of low earth orbit satellites, AI technology, cooperation for disaster management, food security, mining monitoring, and environmental sustainability. Additionally, Biotis (Indonesia, maker of the Merah Putih vaccine) and Biological E (India) signed an MoU in the field of vaccine manufacturing involving technology transfer from India to Indonesia.