Prime Minister Narendra Modi is currently on a tour of Indonesia. During this time he was also awarded the country’s highest honour. During the meeting between the top leaders of the two countries, there were light but deep strategic messages. Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto openly praised India’s development model during the lunch. Talking about taking inspiration from PM Modi, he said that I copy you. Have adopted many of your programs and I do not hesitate to say so.
Addressing PM Modi during the event, Subianto praised India’s development journey and candidly said, “I follow your career and I have adopted many of your programs. I have no hesitation in admitting this, because if it has been successful for millions of people with the same background and problems as Indonesia – we also have a large population, an agriculture-based economy, we face many natural disasters, and yet India has made a lot of progress – then I openly admit that I I follow your career and have adopted many of your programs.” When he said this, it brought smiles on the faces of many dignitaries present there.
Happy to have no copyright: President
The Indonesian President further explained that these strategies adopted are already yielding positive results on the ground, adding, “And it is proving to be true for us. So, thank you very much. I am very happy that there is no copyright on all your programs.”
#WATCH | A light-hearted moment with a deeper message.
Indonesia President Prabowo Subianto drew smiles as he said during the banquet lunch I copy your career and many of your progress
Im happy there is no copyright in following this progress, he said amid the pic.twitter.com/EVPSlt2Pib
— DD News (@DDNewslive) July 7, 2026
Showing that this coordination of policies is actively translating into bilateral exchanges, President Subianto noted that a delegation from Jakarta recently returned from an in-depth study of India’s agriculture-related innovations. He said, “In fact, I think just yesterday a team from Indonesia returned after 2 or 3 weeks of study. They saw how many Indian groups have made barren land cultivable again. It is called ‘permaculture’. So we are studying it closely and we have a lot to learn and we are not afraid to learn.”
IIT-IIM centers will be built in Indonesia
Further strengthening the growing bilateral relations between the two countries, PM Modi and President Subianto on Tuesday announced a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on BrahMos-Astra missiles. Additionally, New Delhi also plans to establish campuses of Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) and Indian Institute of Management (IIM) in this South-East Asian country.
These important developments came as both the maritime neighbors took major steps towards deepening defence, education and strategic ties. The high-level discussions between the two concluded with the exchange of Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) in several key areas, including space innovation, critical minerals, technology, disaster management, medical product regulation, agriculture and maritime security.
Preparation to connect QR payment system
In the joint press conference, PM Modi said, “We have signed an agreement to deepen cooperation in technology, AI and startups.” “We will open a campus of the Indian Institute of Management, Bengaluru (IIM-B) in Indonesia,” he said. Additionally, New Delhi and Jakarta have agreed to work towards linking their cross-border QR payment systems to ease financial transactions.
Besides, these two democratic countries will also work together for the conservation and protection of Prambanan Temple Complex, a historic UNESCO World Heritage Site located in Yogyakarta. In a historic moment during his state visit, Indonesia honored PM Modi with its highest civilian honour, the ‘Bintang Adipurna’ Medal of Honor in recognition of his role in strengthening ties between the two countries.
PM Modi is in Indonesia from 6 to 8 July, which is the first leg of his 3-country tour. After Indonesia, PM Modi will go to Australia and New Zealand.
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