President Prabowo Subianto on Tuesday conferred Indonesia’s highest civilian decoration upon Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, honoring the Indian leader for his role in strengthening bilateral relations and advancing the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries during an official ceremony at Merdeka Palace in Jakarta.
The presentation of the Bintang Republik Indonesia Adipurna, the nation’s highest order of merit, underscored the increasingly close relationship between Southeast Asia’s largest economy and the world’s most populous democracy as both governments seek deeper cooperation in defense, trade, investment and regional security.
Speaking during a joint appearance with Modi at the presidential palace, Prabowo described the award as recognition of the Indian prime minister’s leadership and his sustained commitment to expanding ties between Jakarta and New Delhi.
“Today, as president of the Republic of Indonesia, I thank His Excellency Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his willingness to receive the highest mark of honor from Indonesia, namely Bintang Republik Indonesia Adipurna,” Prabowo said.
The Indonesian president said the prestigious decoration acknowledged Modi’s contribution to elevating bilateral relations into a comprehensive strategic partnership while encouraging broader cooperation across multiple sectors.
According to Prabowo, Modi has consistently demonstrated his commitment to strengthening collaboration between the two countries and supporting initiatives that align with Indonesia’s long-term national development priorities.
The president also said the Indian leader had provided meaningful support for a range of bilateral programs and projects designed to expand cooperation in areas considered strategically important by both governments.
Prabowo described Modi’s visit as another milestone in a relationship that has continued to deepen in recent years.
“The visit of Prime Minister Modi today marks a milestone and reflects the two countries’ shared commitment to advancing the comprehensive strategic partnership through concrete and mutually beneficial cooperation,” Prabowo said.
Modi accepted the honor and thanked Prabowo, the Indonesian government and the Indonesian people, saying the award represented recognition not only of his own leadership but also of the enduring friendship between the two nations.
“This honor is not exclusive to me; it is for millions of Indians, reflecting the sentiment of friendship of the Indonesian people and symbolizing the tight, historic ties between India and Indonesia,” Modi said.
The Indian prime minister noted that bilateral relations have expanded significantly in recent years and pointed to the comprehensive strategic partnership established in 2018 as an important foundation for broader political, economic and cultural cooperation.
The award also carries historical significance.
Modi became only the second Indian leader to receive the Bintang Republik Indonesia Adipurna after India’s first prime minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, who was honored for strengthening relations with Indonesia and for his role as one of the founders of the Non-Aligned Movement during the early years of post-colonial Asia.
By presenting the same distinction to Modi, Indonesia highlighted the continuity of its long-standing relationship with India while acknowledging the renewed strategic importance of bilateral cooperation in an increasingly complex Indo-Pacific region.
The state honor came during Modi’s two-day official visit to Indonesia, which has focused on expanding cooperation across a broad range of sectors.
Earlier in the day, the two countries signed multiple agreements covering defense, critical minerals, agriculture, industrial cooperation and trade, reflecting growing efforts by both governments to deepen strategic and economic engagement.
The visit also includes discussions on broader regional issues, including maritime security, Indo-Pacific stability and strengthening collaboration among developing nations.
Officials from both countries have emphasized that Indonesia and India share common interests in promoting a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific while enhancing regional economic resilience and security cooperation.
Beyond government meetings, Modi’s itinerary also highlights the centuries-old cultural connections linking the two countries.
On Wednesday, the Indian prime minister is scheduled to travel to Yogyakarta to visit the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Prambanan Temple, the largest Hindu temple complex in Indonesia and one of Southeast Asia’s most significant historical monuments.
The visit is expected to reaffirm India’s support for ongoing efforts to preserve and revitalize the historic site while emphasizing the deep civilizational ties that have connected the Indonesian archipelago and the Indian subcontinent for more than a millennium.
Those historical links continue to serve as an important element of modern bilateral diplomacy, complementing rapidly expanding cooperation in defense, trade, technology and infrastructure.
For Indonesia, honoring Modi with the nation’s highest civilian award reflects Jakarta’s recognition of India’s growing role as a strategic partner in Asia and the broader Global South. For India, the decoration reinforces New Delhi’s efforts to strengthen relationships with key Southeast Asian nations under its “Act East” policy while expanding political, economic and security engagement throughout the Indo-Pacific.
As Indonesia and India continue broadening cooperation across multiple sectors, Tuesday’s ceremony at Merdeka Palace served not only as a symbolic tribute to Modi’s leadership but also as a public affirmation of both governments’ determination to build a deeper, more comprehensive partnership for the years ahead.
