NEW DELHI: The banquet burst into applause and praise as a light-hearted remark by Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto stole the spotlight. Addressing the gathering, the Indonesian President praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi‘s leadership in a light-hearted joke about “copying” many of PM Modi’s programmes.Prabowo said that because PM Modi’s programmes worked, he was “very happy” there was “no copyright” on them. The laughter-filled moment came as the two countries unveiled a series of agreements to deepen cooperation across defence, technology, education and agriculture.Speaking directly to PM Modi before an audience of ministers, officials and dignitaries, President Prabowo mixed humour with an unmistakable message of admiration for India’s development journey.“I follow your career, and I copied many of your programmes. I don’t mind admitting, because if it succeeds for hundreds of million people with the same background as Indonesia, the same problems, we are making the same, we have the same problems of big population, we have agriculture in the background, we face many natural disasters, and yet India has achieved much progress. So I openly admit that I follow your career and I copied a lot of your programmes,” he said.The candid admission drew smiles and laughter across the banquet hall. Pausing for effect, Prabowo added, “And it’s proving to be successful for us. So, thank you very much. I’m very happy there’s no copyright to all your programmes.”He revealed that an Indonesian delegation had only just returned after spending weeks in India studying techniques to transform dry land into productive farmland.“In fact, I think yesterday, a team from Indonesia just came back from, I think two or three weeks of study of the achievements many Indian groups have achieved in making arid land arable again. It’s called permaculture. So we are studying this closely, and we have a lot to learn, and we are not afraid of learning,” he said.The warm exchange came on a day of significant announcements for India-Indonesia ties. The two leaders unveiled a Memorandum of Understanding on BrahMos-Astra missiles and announced plans to open Indian Institute of Technology and Indian Institute of Management campuses in Indonesia.“We have signed an agreement to deepen collaboration in tech, AI, and startup businesses,” PM Modi said during a joint press briefing, adding, “We will be opening a campus of Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore (IIM-B) in Indonesia.”The two countries also signed agreements covering space, critical minerals, disaster management, agriculture and maritime cooperation, while agreeing to work towards linking their cross-border QR payment systems. They will also collaborate on preserving the UNESCO-listed Prambanan Temple Complex.During the visit, President Prabowo conferred Indonesia’s highest civilian honour, the Bintang Adipurna, on PM Modi.Accepting the award, PM Modi said, “The respect shown through this medal is for every Indian, and I would like to thank Indonesia on their behalf.”PM Modi is on a three-day visit to Indonesia as part of a broader three-nation tour. The visit is his first bilateral trip to the country since India and Indonesia elevated their relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2018.
