India supporting Indonesia defence industrialisation

President Sukarno was India's first Republic Day guest, and now, President Subianto will be the guest for the 76th Republic Day.

- INDIAN Ambassador to Indonesia Sandeep Chakravorty talks to Jayanth Jacob

INDIAN Ambassador to Indonesia Sandeep Chakravorty talks to Jayanth Jacob about the forthcoming visit of Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto as Chief Guest for India's 76th Republic Day. He reflects on the significance of the bilateral relationship between India and Indonesia. Excerpts:

What does it say about our long-standing bilateral ties? President Sukarno was the chief guest at the first Republic Day. That was significant because India, along with the US, played a big role in Indonesia's independence. There were good ties with President Sukarno, Vice-President Mohammad Hatta, and PM Sutan Sjahrir. There was a special Asian Relations Conference, and then the role played by Biju Patnaik (he flew Sjahrir and Hatta out of Java so they could broadcast Indonesia's plight to the rest of the world). Those were the hey-days of our relationship.

Now, as we celebrate the 75th anniversary of our bilateral relationship, President Prabowo Subianto is our chief guest. Adding to the historical importance is that Indonesia is, for the first time, sending a marching contingent—352 soldiers will march down Rajpath.