“From Sukarno in 1950 to Subianto in 2025 — Indonesia bookends India’s Republic Day legacy with historic leadership.” — Strategic Significance
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has officially accepted India’s invitation to be the chief guest at the Republic Day celebrations on January 26, 2025. This visit marks a historic moment in India-Indonesia relations, reflecting the deepening strategic, economic, and cultural ties between the two maritime democracies.
As India strengthens its Act East Policy under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s third term, Subianto’s presence underscores Indonesia’s pivotal role in India’s regional and global strategy. Notably, Indonesia’s first President Sukarno was the chief guest at India’s very first Republic Day in 1950 — making this invitation deeply symbolic.
👤 Who is Prabowo Subianto?
Prabowo Subianto is the 8th President of Indonesia, having won the presidential election in February 2024 and assumed office in October 2024. A former military general and Defense Minister, he leads the Gerindra Party (Great Indonesia Movement Party).
Subianto contested presidential elections three times (2014, 2019, 2024) before his victory. His win marked a significant political shift in Indonesia, with a focus on strengthening defense capabilities, economic self-reliance, and deeper engagement with strategic partners like India.
Think of Prabowo Subianto as Indonesia’s version of a comeback politician — after losing two presidential races, he finally won on his third attempt. His military background shapes his approach to regional security and defense partnerships with countries like India.
📜 India-Indonesia Historical & Cultural Ties
India and Indonesia share centuries-old ties rooted in trade, culture, and religion. Hinduism and Buddhism traveled from India to the Indonesian archipelago, leaving a lasting legacy visible in the magnificent temples of Borobudur (Buddhist) and Prambanan (Hindu).
Indonesian culture remains deeply influenced by the Ramayana and Mahabharata. Traditional art forms like Wayang Kulit (shadow puppetry) depict stories from these Indian epics. Even Indonesia’s national motto — “Bhinneka Tunggal Ika” (Unity in Diversity) — derives from Old Javanese, rooted in Sanskrit.
First Chief Guest Connection: Indonesia’s founding President Sukarno was the chief guest at India’s first Republic Day in 1950. In 2025, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto continues this legacy — symbolically “bookending” India’s Republic Day history.
| Aspect | Cultural Influence | Modern Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Religion | Hinduism & Buddhism spread from India | Bali remains Hindu-majority |
| Architecture | Borobudur, Prambanan temples | UNESCO World Heritage Sites |
| Literature | Ramayana & Mahabharata adaptations | Wayang Kulit performances |
| Language | Sanskrit influence on Old Javanese | National motto from Sanskrit roots |
🌍 Strategic Partnership Evolution
India and Indonesia elevated their relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2018 during PM Modi’s visit to Jakarta. This partnership spans defense, maritime security, economic cooperation, and people-to-people exchanges.
Key frameworks guiding the partnership include the Shared Vision on Maritime Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific and alignment between India’s Act East Policy and Indonesia’s Global Maritime Fulcrum doctrine.
Why does Indonesia matter so much to India? As the world’s largest archipelagic nation and Southeast Asia’s biggest economy, Indonesia sits at the crossroads of critical Indo-Pacific sea lanes. Securing this partnership helps India counter China’s maritime expansion while boosting regional trade.
💰 Trade & Economic Relations
Bilateral trade between India and Indonesia reached USD 26.69 billion in FY 2023-24, making Indonesia India’s largest trading partner in ASEAN. The trade balance, however, remains in Indonesia’s favor.
India’s Key Imports from Indonesia: Coal, crude palm oil, rubber, paper, hydrocarbons
India’s Key Exports to Indonesia: Refined petroleum, automobiles, telecom equipment, agricultural goods, pharmaceuticals
Over 30 Indian joint ventures operate in Indonesia across sectors including manufacturing, IT, and infrastructure.
Don’t confuse: Indonesia is India’s largest trading partner in ASEAN, not Singapore (which has higher per-capita trade but lower total volume). Also remember the trade deficit is in Indonesia’s favor primarily due to palm oil and coal imports.
⚓ Defense & Maritime Cooperation
Defense cooperation forms a critical pillar of India-Indonesia relations. Key initiatives include:
- Samudra Shakti: Bilateral naval exercise focused on maritime security, anti-piracy operations, and interoperability
- Garuda Shakti: Joint military exercise between Indian and Indonesian armies
- Defense technology exchanges: Discussions on BrahMos missile sales and indigenous defense production
- Indo-Pacific security: Joint efforts to maintain freedom of navigation and counter illegal activities
Both nations share strategic concerns over the South China Sea and securing vital sea lanes through the Malacca Strait — one of the world’s busiest shipping corridors.
🎯 Significance of Subianto’s 2025 Visit
President Subianto’s visit carries multi-dimensional significance:
- Historical Symbolism: Echoes Sukarno’s 1950 visit, reinforcing the “founding friendship”
- Act East Policy: Strengthens India’s ASEAN engagement under Modi 3.0
- Indo-Pacific Strategy: Consolidates the Quad-adjacent partnership for regional stability
- Economic Opportunities: Expected discussions on infrastructure, renewable energy, and digital economy partnerships
- Defense Deals: Potential agreements on BrahMos, naval cooperation, and joint production
The invitation to President Subianto reflects India’s strategic calculation — engaging the new Indonesian leadership early to shape the bilateral agenda. It also signals India’s intent to build a network of partnerships in the Indo-Pacific beyond formal alliance structures like the Quad.
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Prabowo Subianto, President of Indonesia, will be the chief guest at India Republic Day 2025. He assumed office in October 2024.
President Sukarno of Indonesia was the first-ever chief guest at India Republic Day in 1950, setting a historic precedent.
India and Indonesia elevated their partnership to Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2018 during PM Modi visit to Jakarta.
Samudra Shakti is the bilateral naval exercise between India and Indonesia focused on maritime security. Garuda Shakti is the army exercise.
Bilateral trade between India and Indonesia reached USD 26.69 billion in FY 2023-24, making Indonesia India largest trading partner in ASEAN.
