Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, during his visit to India, said that he has Indian DNA and Indonesia learns from Indian democracy. He admitted to copying PM Modi’s development programs and awarded the country’s highest honor ‘Bintang Adipurna’ to the PM.
jakarta [इंडोनेशिया]July 7 (ANI): Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto on Tuesday said Indian democracy is a shining example from which Indonesia takes lessons. He also told that he has “Indian DNA” inside him. He made this comment while talking to members of the Indian diaspora.
I have Indian DNA: President Prabowo
President Prabowo recalled how he was the chief guest during the Republic Day celebrations in 2025 and also pointed out how President Sukarno was the chief guest during the Republic Day celebrations in 1950. He said that just before making a state visit to India, he had undergone a gene-testing and found that he had Indian DNA. “Just before my state visit to India, I had a genome sequencing test done and I found out that I have Indian DNA,” his remarks drew thunderous applause from the crowd.
Jokingly, he added, “That’s why whenever I hear Indian music, my body starts dancing… Today at the state banquet, I couldn’t stop myself; my ministers and generals all love to dance and sing. Perhaps most of them also have Indian DNA… It’s true. Most of my ministers sing Indian songs very well.”
He lauded the meeting with PM Modi and said, “We are the two largest democracies in the world. It is not an easy path, but it is the best system for justice, hope and inclusivity… We must believe and fight to preserve democracy.” He said Indonesia is closely learning from the Indian electoral system and appreciated India for the peaceful transfer of government at the state and central levels. “It is a wonderful achievement. I myself study it and keep an eye on India’s wonderful achievements.”
‘I copy your programs’
Meanwhile, in a light-hearted moment today that also had a deep strategic message, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto brought smiles to the faces of dignitaries by openly admitting his admiration for India’s development model during a banquet. Addressing PM Modi directly, President Subianto praised India’s developmental steps and candidly said, “I follow your career and I have copied many of your programmes. I have no hesitation in accepting this, because if it is successful for millions of people with the same background as Indonesia, who have the same problems, we are doing the same, we too have the same problems for a large population, we have agriculture in our background, we face many natural disasters, and yet India has made a lot of progress. So I openly admit that I follow your career and I have copied many of your programs.”
The Indonesian leader further highlighted that these adopted strategies are already yielding positive results on the ground. He added, “And it’s proving to be successful for us. So, thank you very much. I’m very happy that there is no copyright on all your programs.” Reflecting that this policy synergy is actively translating into bilateral exchanges, President Subianto revealed that a delegation from Jakarta has recently completed an in-depth study of India’s agricultural innovations.
The Ministry of External Affairs said it also presented the ‘Bintang Adipurna of the Republic of Indonesia’ Medal of Honor to PM Modi on Tuesday in recognition of the PM’s leadership in strengthening India-Indonesia friendship. Prime Minister Modi dedicated this honor to the people of India. He is on a three-day state visit to Indonesia. (ANI)
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