‘India and Indonesia are connected by shared heritage’; says PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressed an Indian community event in Bali on Tuesday. PM Modi is in Indonesia to attend the G20 Summit.

Addressing the Indian community PM Modi said, “The accomplishments of the Indian diaspora make us proud… India and Indonesia are connected by shared heritage and culture.”

Meanwhile, at the traditional Indonesian musical instruments, PM Modi tried his hand and at the venue, he was greeted with “Modi, Modi”.

“As I speak to you in Bali and we sing songs of Indonesian traditions, 1500 km away from here in India’s Cuttack, Bali Yatra Mahotsav is going on – Bali Jatra. This Mahotsav celebrates thousands of years old India-Indonesia trade relations,” Modi said.

PM Modi further added, “When people of Indonesia see photos of this year’s Bali Jatra on the internet. They will be proud and happy. Due to the issues arising due to Covid-19, some hurdles had cropped up. After several years, Bali Jatra Mahotsav is being celebrated on a grand scale with mass participation in Odisha.”

Moreover, the relationship between India and Indonesia is strong. During the 2018 earthquake, India started the Samudra Maitri operation in Indonesia.

“That year when I came to Jakarta, I had said that India and Indonesia may be 90 nautical miles apart, but in reality, we are not 90 nautical miles apart but 90 nautical miles close,” Modi said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also remembered the Ramayana tradition of Indonesia.

“India’s talent, technology, innovation, and industry have made their mark in the world today… Today, India is the world’s fastest-growing large economy,” Modi… Today’s India doesn’t think small. Today, India is doing work at unprecedented scale and speed,” Modi said.