Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, during his state visit to India, spoke about his Indian connections and said that he has “Indian DNA” at a dinner hosted by President Droupadi Murmu on Sunday.
His joke elicited laughter from dignitaries, including Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Murmu.
“A few weeks ago, I had my genetic sequencing test, and they told me that I have Indian DNA. Everybody knows that when I hear Indian music, I start dancing,” he said, leaving everyone in laughter.
The Indonesian President emphasised the strong civilisational ties between India and Indonesia, which share a long, ancient history. “Even now, a significant part of our language comes from Sanskrit. Many names in Indonesia are actually Sanskrit-derived, and in our daily lives, the influence of ancient Indian civilisation remains very strong. I think it’s also part of our genetics,” he stated.
President Subianto praised PM Modi for his leadership and commitment for making the lives of ordinary Indians better.
“I am very proud to be here [in India]. I am not a professional politician or a skilled diplomat; I speak from my heart. I came here for a few days but learned a great deal from Prime Minister Modi’s leadership and dedication. His commitment to alleviating poverty, helping the marginalised, and supporting the weakest sections of society is an inspiration for us,” he said.
President Subianto visited India as the chief guest for the Republic Day celebrations on 26th January.
The Indonesian President and PM Modi signed agreements to strengthen ties in health, defence, digital technology, and maritime affairs. They also discussed Indonesia’s interest in purchasing the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile, jointly developed by India and Russia.
For the first time, a contingent from the Indonesian National Armed Forces participated in the Republic Day parade in New Delhi.
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