PM Modi Conferred With Indonesia's Highest Honor Bintang Adipurna In Jakarta

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been conferred with Indonesia's highest civilian honor, the 'Bintang Adipurna of the Republic of Indonesia Medal of Honor'. This prestigious recognition was bestowed upon him by Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto during the first leg of the Prime Minister's three-nation tour. The ceremony took place at the Istana Merdeka, the Presidential Palace in Jakarta, where PM Modi was accorded a grand and warm welcome, while this honor is a testament to the strengthening ties between the two nations and recognizes the Prime Minister's efforts in fostering unity and prosperity.

A Tribute to the People of India

Upon receiving the award, Prime Minister Modi expressed his deep gratitude to the government and people of Indonesia. He stated that the honor belongs to the 140 crore people of India and reflects the deep-rooted historical and cultural connections between the two maritime neighbors. "This morning, I was given Indonesia's highest honor with a lot of love and respect. This honor belongs to crores of Indians. It reflects the feelings of the people of Indonesia and the historical, deep relations between our two countries," the Prime Minister remarked. He further extended his heartfelt thanks to President Prabowo Subianto for the hospitality and the recognition.

Strengthening Technological and Educational Ties

During the bilateral discussions, PM Modi highlighted that the 21st century is a century based on technology. He noted that both India and Indonesia are nations filled with young energy and their youth have a natural inclination towards technology. To use this potential, the two countries have signed a significant agreement to increase technical cooperation in fields such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Telecommunications, and Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI). Also, both nations have agreed to deepen cooperation in the startup ecosystem, while a major announcement was made regarding the opening of a campus of India's prestigious management institute, IIM Bangalore, in Indonesia, which aims to enhance educational exchange and professional training.

Strategic Significance of the Visit

The Prime Minister's visit to Jakarta is seen as a move to provide new momentum to the friendly relations and strategic partnership between India and Indonesia, while this visit follows President Prabowo Subianto's state visit to India in January 2025, where he served as the Chief Guest for the Republic Day celebrations. The current visit aims to further strengthen India's Act East Policy and the SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) vision, while it also reinforces India's commitment to a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific region. PM Modi shared his appreciation for the welcome on social media, thanking President Subianto for the warm reception at Istana Merdeka and signing the guest book at the palace.

The Bintang Adipurna Honor

The 'Bintang Adipurna' Medal of Honor is the highest distinction awarded by the Republic of Indonesia. It's reserved for individuals who have rendered extraordinary service to the unity, continuity, and prosperity of the Republic of Indonesia. By conferring this award upon PM Modi, Indonesia has acknowledged the pivotal role played by India in regional stability and the shared progress of both nations. The visit underscores the growing synergy between the two largest democracies in the Indo-Pacific, focusing on future-ready sectors like digital transformation and high-level educational collaboration.