New Delhi and Djakarta are working towards having President Prabowo Subianto as the chief guest on Republic Day (January 26) next year.
Subianto, who took over as the President of Indonesia last October has had a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently. A military man, the 73-year old Subianto was also defence minister in the Joko Widodo government from 2019 to 2024. A special forces officer in the Indonesian army, he has had a successful career as a businessman.
The visit is still under discussion and a final decision is yet to be made. Besides, there is a proposal of an Indonesian army contingent participating in the Republic Day marchpast.
Indonesia and India have strong ties, strategic, diplomatic and economic. India recently sent a huge contingent of rice to Indonesia after it was hit by a drought. Both countries are looking towards closer military cooperation, particularly between the two navies. The Malacca Straits, both countries realise, is an important gateway into the Indian Ocean. India has been pushing for joint patrols of the area for a long while.