New Delhi: Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto will be the chief guest of India’s Republic Day celebrations on January 26, the government announced this week. While this will be President Prabowo’s first visit to India in his capacity as president after assuming office in October 2024, this is the fourth time that an Indonesian leader has been invited as the chief guest at the Republic Day celebrations. President Sukarno attended the very first Republic Day celebrations in independent India in 1950.
“At the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President of the Republic of Indonesia Prabowo Subianto will pay a State Visit to India during 25-26 January 2025. President Prabowo will also be the Chief Guest for India’s 76th Republic Day celebrations,” the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in an official statement.
The MEA said that “India and Indonesia share warm and friendly ties spanning over millennia. As a Comprehensive Strategic Partner, Indonesia is an important pillar in India’s Act East Policy and our vision of the Indo-Pacific.”
“The forthcoming State Visit of President Prabowo will provide an opportunity for the leaders to undertake a comprehensive review of bilateral ties as well as to discuss regional and global issues of mutual interest,” the MEA added.
The visit comes as India is close to finalizing a USD 450 million deal to supply the BrahMos missile system to Indonesia. Indonesia's interest in the BrahMos system aligns with its defence modernization goals and regional security needs, the Indian Today reported. The deal is also expected to strengthen defense ties between India and Indonesia, which joined the BRICS group in January 2024.
