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Addressing Indonesia's Parliament, Narendra Modi said a golden era awaited ties between the two countries. He said Biju Patnaik's wartime rescue mission helped bring India and Indonesia closer.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto at the Merdeka Palace in Jakarta
New Delhi,UPDATED: Jul 7, 2026 16:48 IST
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said India and Indonesia were entering a "golden era" as he addressed the parliament in Jakarta. However, the architect behind the close India-Indonesia ties, PM Modi said, was former Odisha chief minister Biju Patnaik, who played a pivotal role in the Indonesian freedom struggle.
Before becoming the Odisha Chief Minister, Patnaik was an ace pilot. His skills were called upon by then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru to rescue Indonesian leaders as the Dutch launched an invasion in Java in 1946. Showcasing exemplary courage, Patnaik and his wife flew into the conflict zone and safely evacuated Indonesia's then Prime Minister Sutan Sjahrir and Vice President Mohammad Hatta to India.
On Tuesday, PM Modi lavished praise on Patnaik for bringing India and Indonesia "closer".
"Both our nations gained independence around the same time: Indonesia in 1945 and India in 1947. When it came to sovereignty as independent nations, India became a strong voice in support of Indonesia's independence movement at the United Nations," PM Modi said.
"The role played by the respected Biju Patnaik during that period - the way he safely brought Prime Minister Sutan Sjahrir and Vice President Mohammad Hatta to India brought the two nations closer," the Prime Minister further said.
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Published By:
Abhishek De
Published On:
Jul 7, 2026 16:48 IST
English (US) ·