His Excellency President Prabowo,
My dear friends,
brothers and sisters,
Selamat malam!
Namaskaar!
Vanakkam!
Sat Sri Akaal!
Jai Jhule Laal!
Kem-chho?
These days, the world is gripped by football fever. Here in Indonesia too, the passion for football is truly extraordinary. And all of you have brought that same energy and enthusiasm here today.
There is another remarkable coincidence that perhaps some of you may have noticed, but I would still like to mention it. Every time I have visited Indonesia, the FIFA World Cup has been in full swing. The first time was in 2018, when we gathered in Jakarta. We met again in Bali in 2022. And now, in 2026, we are once again meeting here in Jakarta. On all three occasions, Indonesia has been alive with the excitement and passion of football.
However friends,
The 'Man of the Match' at all three of these events in Indonesia has been the same - all of you living in Indonesia. Each one of you is the true 'Man of the Match'!
You have organised such a magnificent event. You are the living embodiment of a vibrant India. It is truly heartening to see so many people gathered here today. Friends, this time I have not come here alone. Joining me today is my dear friend, President Prabowo.
Before I begin my address today, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to President Prabowo for his warmth and his gracious words.
Excellency,
You are a true friend of India. Thank you for being here !!!
Friends,
From the moment our aircraft entered Indonesian airspace and I set foot here, I have been overwhelmed by the warmth and affection extended to me by the people of Indonesia. Words fall short of expressing my gratitude for such heartfelt hospitality. It was a truly memorable experience to be received at the airport by President Prabowo himself, accompanied by members of his Cabinet.
The love for Indian culture in Indonesia was also reflected in a glimpse that I witnessed today at the Presidential Palace. The enthusiasm of the people here, the smiles of the children, and the energy of the youth were all truly remarkable and beyond words. Wherever I went, and everyone I met, I could clearly see love, respect, and warmth for India on every face.
Friends,
By the way, I noticed that the Indian song Kuch Kuch Hota Hai is very popular here. Today, I told President Prabowo that when India and Indonesia move forward together, it is not a little bit that happens - but much more than that!
Friends,
Earlier this morning, I also had the privilege of being conferred Indonesia's highest honour. This is a tribute to the 1.4 billion people of India. It is an honour for all of you, the members of the Indian community. Above all, this award is yet another symbol of the close friendship between Indonesia and India. From this platform as well, I express my heartfelt gratitude to President Prabowo, the Government of Indonesia, and the people of Indonesia.
Friends,
Last year, India celebrated its Republic Day with great enthusiasm on 26 January. 26, i.e. 2 and 6 equals … And my friend was also born on the 17th, i.e. 1 plus…
President Prabowo had attended that ceremony as the Chief Guest. During that visit, we had the opportunity to hold detailed discussions on a wide range of subjects. But there is one particular aspect of that visit that I would especially like to recall today. President Prabowo also referred to it here with great pride.
Mr President, you had said on that occasion, and you have said so again today, that you have India’s DNA. Even today, I noticed that it was at that moment that the loudest applause erupted. And in India too, you have won the hearts of millions and millions of Indians. That one sentence had touched the hearts of the people of India.
I would like to take forward that very thought of yours. The DNA that you spoke of is made of mutual trust. That DNA is shaped by our shared heritage. That DNA is shaped by our shared memories. That DNA is shaped by the sea winds that, for thousands of years, have carried our ships to each other's shores.
Friends,
The DNA of India-Indonesia relations is shaped by the saints and Buddhist monks who did not confine knowledge within boundaries. It is shaped by the entrepreneurs who not only traded in spices but also built bridges between cultures. This DNA has been forged by the artists who embraced the Ramayana and the Mahabharata in their own languages, while preserving their shared spirit.
The vibrant people of Indonesia, and the many families gathered here today, have nurtured, strengthened, and continually enriched the relationship between India and Indonesia.
Friends,
Around the world, relationships between two countries often move forward through Agreements and MoUs. Some countries are brought closer by strategy, while others deepen their ties through trade. But the relationship between India and Indonesia is one of civilisations; it is a relationship shaped by the sea.
Empires came and went, maritime routes changed, and the politics of the world evolved. But the bond between India and Indonesia has always endured. And that is our greatest strength.
Friends,
Today, the world speaks of connectivity. But our ancestors had already lived that connectivity. Today, global supply chains are being disrupted due to a lack of trust. But India and Indonesia had built trust in supply chains at a time when there was not even any discussion of global supply chains.
I am happy that today, India and Indonesia are together writing a new future, drawing upon that very reservoir of trust. And among the greatest beneficiaries of this promising future are all of you - the Indian community living in Indonesia.
Friends,
These days, we live in the age of social media, and in this age, there is a great deal of discussion about ‘collabs’. But India and Indonesia have been collaborating for centuries.
It was this ‘collab’ that led to the ancient Sanskrit inscriptions in Kutai, Indonesia. It was this ‘collab’ that brought scholars from here to Nalanda University.
Whether it is the Bali Jatra festival in Cuttack, the tradition of sailing boats made from banana trunks on the Mahanadi, the staging of the Mahabharata through Wayang Kulit, the Vesak pilgrimage, or the worship of Dewi Sri, this ‘collab’ between India and Indonesia is clearly reflected in all these traditions.
Friends,
The history of collabs between India and Indonesia is as ancient as it is rich. In ancient times, Muaro Jambi in Sumatra was a sister institution of Nalanda. I am very pleased that today we are reviving that very tradition from the past.
As all of you know, Nalanda University has now been re-established in a new form. Many students from Indonesia have also enrolled there. This means that, in the 21st century, inspired by our shared past, our two countries are charting the course towards a new future.
Friends,
India and Indonesia are close not only in our hearts but also as geographical neighbours. The distance between India's Great Nicobar Island and Aceh in Indonesia is about 150 kilometres. Just imagine - Indonesia is closer to one of India's islands than many of India's own states are.
Every Indian who comes to Indonesia feels a sense of belonging here. That is why, for years, our two countries have remained connected through trade, tradition, and tourism, carrying forward the legacy of our relationship.
Today, as India is building new ports, developing new ships, exploring new sea routes, and advancing maritime trade through new partnerships, Indonesia stands with us as our favourite friend.
Friends,
Whether it is Indonesia or India, both our countries are eager to accelerate development. We have neither the time nor the opportunity to pause or stand still. A short while ago, some members of the Indian community spoke about Indonesia's progress. From India, I too have come with many stories of India's progress to share with you.
Friends,
These days, whenever you hear about India, there is one topic that invariably makes the headlines first, and that is India's economy. Some will say that India has become a multi-trillion-dollar economy. Others will speak about its GDP growth. Some will tell you how dramatically the economy has grown over the past 10-12 years. You will hear about one remarkable achievement after another.
Today, India's economy is playing a major role in driving global growth. Even when the world was hit by the COVID pandemic, India's economy did not come to a standstill. Even during the ongoing crisis in West Asia, India's economy did not slow down. In fact, in the last quarter of the previous financial year, which ended in March, our growth rate stood at 7.7%.
This pace and this progress have not come about by chance. India has undertaken many reforms. We have consistently performed, and that is why the country is being transformed today. We are moving forward with the mantra: Reform, Perform, Transform.
Friends,
The growth that India has achieved today is the growth of the dreams of 1.4 billion people. It is the growth of the aspirations of millions of Indians. All of you are an integral part of that dream. Every Indian living in Indonesia is a partner in that dream.
Friends,
If I were to describe the speed and scale of India's growth in one line, I would say: One point four billion aspirations in motion. Today, from our villages to our cities, every citizen of India is filled with aspirations. There is a growing confidence in everyone that, yes, we can achieve success.
Friends,
Let me give you an example. You all know that owning a home is one of the biggest dreams for every individual. Now consider this figure from India: over the past 10-12 years in India, the Government has built and provided more than 4 crore permanent houses to poor families. In many countries, the total number of houses is not even that high.
Friends,
When people get a home of their own, when they are able to live their life with dignity, the aspirations of millions of Indians gain momentum, and their dreams are set in motion.
Friends,
Let me share an interesting statistic about social security coverage in India. 12 years ago, around 25 crore people in India had social security coverage. Today, nearly 100 crore Indians are covered under social security. And the next figure I am about to share with you will truly surprise you.
India has a scheme called the Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojna. Under this scheme, accidental insurance coverage of ₹2 lakh is available for an annual premium of just ₹20. In other words, it costs less than a cup of coffee. You may or may not find such a scheme anywhere else in the world, but it is available in India. Nearly 60 crore people in India are covered under this scheme.
Friends,
There is another scheme as well, the Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojna. Under this scheme, life insurance is available at a premium of about ₹1.5 per day. Just ₹1.5 a day - even a cup of coffee costs more than that. At present, 28 crore people in India are enrolled under this scheme.
Friends,
Under these two Government schemes, claims amounting to nearly ₹22,000 crore have been paid to beneficiaries so far. ₹22,000 crore. When people faced difficult times in their lives, the Government stood by them as a partner and extended its support.
Friends,
Today, India has put in place another system that is unprecedented and remarkable. It is the Direct Benefit Transfer system. This is a foolproof mechanism through which the full benefit reaches the beneficiary without any leakage.
A gentleman came to me and asked what my vision was for Bengal. This is the vision... Direct Benefit Transfer. No leakage.
And the money goes directly into the beneficiaries' bank accounts. You can imagine that over the past 12 years, assistance amounting to nearly ₹50 lakh crore, i.e. 50 trillion rupees, has been transferred directly into people's bank accounts.
Friends,
When such a system is put in place, it strengthens people's trust and instils confidence in them. And then, 25 crore Indians are able to overcome poverty, rise above it, and begin to live a life of pride and dignity.
Friends,
Let me share another data point with you. You may have heard that nearly 50% of all real-time digital payments in the world take place in India alone. 50% of the world's total.
Today, more than 75 crore digital transactions take place every day in India. More than 75 crore. This means that in day-to-day life, people no longer have to carry cash. In fact, the situation has reached a point where people are beginning to forget the PINs of their debit cards and even the passwords of their bank ATMs, because everything is being done through UPI, simply using a mobile phone.
Friends,
When dreams are big, the speed at which the Government works also increases accordingly. Today, wherever you go in India, you will see highways and expressways being built all around.
Over the past 12 years, the pace of highway construction has tripled. This too is among the fastest in the world. During this period, the length of expressways in India has increased from about 100 kilometres to 3,000 kilometres.
And it is India's youth who are driving these big dreams. Over the past 12 years, the number of Indian universities in the global QS rankings has increased from 11 to more than 50.
Today, India's youth are filing patents in large numbers and driving innovation. That is why India today has more than 2 lakh registered start-ups. More than 2 lakh. It is also home to around 125 unicorns.
That is why I say that India is not just the fastest-growing economy. India is also home to more than a billion dreams in motion.
Friends,
We Indians have a special liking for freshly prepared food. And if it is served piping hot, it is even better. So, let me give you the freshest example of India's capabilities.
Just two days before coming to Indonesia, on 4 July, I had the opportunity to dedicate projects worth more than ₹1 lakh crore to the nation, just in a single day. Infrastructure projects worth one trillion rupees in a single day. This is the scale at which India is working.
Friends,
On 4th July, India inaugurated a major new refinery. And the amount of material used in building this refinery is equally remarkable. It contains enough steel to build 40 new Eiffel Towers, or 5 Burj Khalifas.
The length of cable used in the construction of this refinery is enough to circle the Earth twice. It is because of such projects that India has today become one of the top 4 countries in the world in terms of refining capacity.
Friends,
On 4 July itself, apart from this refinery, a magnificent new airport was inaugurated in Jodhpur. A ₹28,000 crore UDAN scheme was launched to expand air connectivity to smaller towns and cities. Jaipur's metro network was also expanded on the same day. And on that very day, India's third semiconductor plant also commenced operations.
Which means that from energy and connectivity to chip manufacturing, India is unstoppable!
Friends,
Today, India is not only fulfilling its own aspirations but also standing alongside the aspirations of every friendly nation. India is guided by the mantra of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas. That is why it works with its partners to create new opportunities and connect them to new possibilities.
India's journey towards self-reliance, or Aatmanirbharta, is also a multiplying force for Indonesia and for the entire ASEAN region. Take the health sector, for example. Today, one out of every five generic medicines in the world is manufactured in India. Nearly 60% of the vaccines procured by UNICEF come from India. The entire region also benefits from this. We take great pride in whatever we are able to do for our friends.
Friends,
I have shared so much with you about India. Now I have one more request from you. Tell your Indonesian friends about India, and encourage them to visit India.
Today, there are several direct flights from Jakarta to Mumbai, and from Bali to Delhi and Bengaluru. This has made travel to and from India much easier.
Friends,
You should also tell the younger generation of the Indian community, especially the youth, about India. In Indonesia, the Bharat Ko Jaano Quiz has been launched for children of the Indian community. A large number of children here are participating in it. Even during the curtain-raiser event, I witnessed your tremendous enthusiasm.
In its sixth edition, we have moved away from the examination format and transformed the entire competition into a gamified experience. I urge all the young people here to participate in it and share your experience with me on social media.
Friends,
India and Indonesia are connected not only by our history but also by a shared future. Our opportunities are shared. Our challenges are shared. When International Yoga Day is celebrated, we practise yoga together. And when a crisis such as a tsunami strikes, we stand together to face it.
The trust between our two countries is a great source of strength. Together, we must continue to strengthen it.
All of you are vital links in the prosperous future for India and Indonesia. You must continue to strengthen and expand this role.
With these words, I once again express my gratitude to my dear friend President Prabowo, and to the people of Indonesia. I extend my best wishes to all of you.
Bharat aur Indonesia, Mitra Selamanya.
Thank you very much.
Tomorrow, I will be visiting the sacred temple along with Mr President. And what is the date tomorrow? That itself reflects how strong our bond is. I have shared with President Prabowo many of India's initiatives, and I promise that there is no copyright on any of them. No copyright, and no claim to any royalty. Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas is our guiding mantra.
Thank you very much.
