Indonesia, India launch Prambanan restoration, Tagore-Dewantara year

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The governments of Indonesia and India have agreed to collaborate on the restoration and conservation of the Prambanan Temple Complex and designated 2026–2027 as the Tagore-Dewantara Year to strengthen cultural diplomacy between the two countries.

"We welcome the restoration and conservation of the Prambanan Temple Complex, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the designation of 2026–2027 as the Tagore-Dewantara Year for Indonesia-India cultural and educational diplomacy," President Prabowo said on Tuesday.

He conveyed this remarks during a joint statement with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Merdeka Palace in Jakarta.

Prabowo said the restoration of the Prambanan Temple Complex reflects the deep historical and cultural ties that have linked Indonesia and India for centuries. The commitment was also reaffirmed in the two leaders' 2025 joint statement.

He noted that the restoration project will be carried out through cooperation between the Indonesian government and the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). As part of his state visit to Indonesia, Prime Minister Modi is scheduled to visit the Prambanan Temple Complex on Wednesday (July 8).

The two countries also designated 2026–2027 as the Tagore-Dewantara Year to promote closer cultural and educational exchanges. The designation commemorates the historic meeting between Indonesian education pioneer Ki Hajar Dewantara and Indian poet, philosopher, and Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore in Yogyakarta in 1927.

"These various initiatives reflect the long-standing ties between Indonesia and India. At the same time, we are determined to enhance cooperation in education, research and technology, culture, and people-to-people contact," Prabowo said.

The two leaders also supported the establishment of an Indian Institute of Management (IIM) campus in Indonesia while exploring the possibility of opening an Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) campus in the country.

In addition, Prabowo and Modi expressed support for increasing the number of Indonesian students pursuing higher education in India to further strengthen academic exchanges and people-to-people ties.

"We are confident that these initiatives can be implemented promptly to deliver tangible benefits for the people of both countries," Prabowo added.

Related news: Indonesia and India team up to restore Prambanan Temple complex

Translator: Prisca Triferna, Resinta Sulistiyandari

Editor: M Razi Rahman

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