Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto on Tuesday described himself as a ‘great admirer’ of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying he has closely followed the Indian leader’s policies over the years and even drawn inspiration from them.
Addressing the Indian community in Jakarta alongside PM Modi, Prabowo said, “I don’t want to be involved in domestic Indian politics. I am a friend of all Indians, but I want to admit one thing, and my close associates and colleagues will testify that I am an admirer, a great admirer of Narendra Modi ji.”
The Indonesian President said he was not a professional politician, noting that he had contested five general elections and lost four. He added that he had admired Prime Minister Modi’s policies even before becoming president and had adopted many of them, joking that the absence of copyright allowed him to do so without facing any legal action.
Prabowo also spoke about his personal connection with India, revealing that a genome sequencing test conducted before his January 2025 state visit showed he has ‘Indian DNA’. He said the discovery reflected his affinity for Indian culture and music, adding that many members of his Cabinet also seem to share the same connection.
Recalling his Republic Day visit to India in 2025, President Prabowo praised the country’s democratic traditions and said Indonesia is learning from the Election Commission of India’s management of peaceful elections in a diverse nation. He also highlighted the centuries-old influence of Indian civilisation on Indonesia, noting the widespread use of Sanskrit in the country’s language and names.
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