Prabowo takes Indian PM Modi on aerial tour of Prambanan Temple

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto on Wednesday brought Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on an aerial tour of the Prambanan Temple Complex in Yogyakarta aboard a presidential Super Puma helicopter.

Carrying the two leaders and three other passengers, the presidential helicopter departed Yogyakarta International Airport and circled the historic Hindu compound twice before landing at the nearby Adisucipto Air Base.

From there, Prabowo and Modi continued by road to Prambanan Temple, where flag-waving children lined the streets to greet them along the route. The president took time to wave at residents through the vehicle's sunroof.

Following the short trip, the two leaders were welcomed by Indonesia's Culture Minister Fadli Zon at the complex around noon.

Prabowo and Modi then watched a performance of a dance inspired by the Ramayana, an ancient epic widely known in both Indonesia and India, before posing for photographs with the temple as a backdrop.

Acting as a guide, Minister Fadli Zon briefed the two leaders on the conservation programs underway at the ancient site, highlighting restoration plans to be undertaken under a bilateral agreement between Indonesia and India.

Afterwards, Prabowo invited his guest to climb onto a buggy car driven by Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya. They proceeded deeper into the core of the complex, where they greeted several Hindu worshippers performing prayers.

The temple tour formed part of Modi's state visit to Indonesia, which began on Monday, July 6.

He previously held bilateral talks with Prabowo at the Merdeka Palace in Jakarta on Tuesday to discuss strategic issues and witness the signing of 16 cooperation documents covering health, defense, agriculture, and other sectors.

On the same day, the prime minister delivered a speech before Prabowo, Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka, and legislators at the Parliament Complex.

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Translator: Genta Tenri, Tegar Nurfitra

Editor: Arie Novarina

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