Prabowo says Prambanan's Ramayana reliefs unite Indonesia, India

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto on Wednesday described the Ramayana reliefs carved into the walls of Prambanan Temple as a testament to the more than 1,000-year-old ties between Indonesia and India.

Speaking alongside Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the UNESCO-listed Hindu temple complex in Yogyakarta, Prabowo said the temple represented the great civilization of the Indonesian archipelago, reflecting its commitment to knowledge, art, spirituality and humanity.

“Prambanan Temple also holds special meaning for the people of Indonesia and India because the Ramayana reliefs carved into its walls stand as a testament to the close civilizational ties between our two nations,” he said.

Prabowo said cultural heritage remained a powerful bridge between nations, fostering mutual understanding and trust.

He added that he hoped Modi's visit to the Prambanan Temple Complex would further strengthen ties between the two countries.

“I hope this visit will further strengthen the friendship between the people of Indonesia and the people of India," Prabowo said.

He described Prambanan Temple as not only a symbol of Indonesia's historical and cultural legacy but also a reminder of the long-standing civilizational links between Indonesia and India, which he said have endured for more than a millennium.

Prabowo said bilateral relations extended beyond cooperation in politics, the economy and defence, and were also rooted in shared cultural values, knowledge and mutual respect.

Prabowo also welcomed an agreement between Indonesia and India on the conservation and restoration of the Prambanan Temple Complex.

He said he hoped the partnership would further deepen bilateral relations and lead to more concrete and mutually beneficial cooperation for both countries and their peoples.

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Translator: Fathur Rochman, Kuntum Khaira

Editor: M Razi Rahman

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